ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering · 2018 · 67 citations · 31 references
EngineeringChemical EngineeringChemistryBiochemical EngineeringGreen ChemistryReaction EngineeringBiofuel ProductionBiomass ConversionProcess EconomicsProcess SynthesisReaction Process DesignRenewable FeedstocksAlternative FeedstocksDehydrogenationDehydrogenation ReactionsIntegration ApproachPrice Volatility EffectsPropane ConversionSustainable SynthesisTechnoeconomic Analysis
Isopropanol is a widely used solvent, and rising demand, falling supply of conventional feedstocks, and increasing prices drive the search for cost‑effective, sustainable production routes. This study aims to synthesize, screen, design, and evaluate alternative pathways for isopropanol production. The authors evaluate biomass‑ and fossil‑based raw materials and reaction routes, prune alternatives using process synthesis and integration, and then perform process simulation, design, and technoeconomic assessment on the promising candidates. Propane dehydrogenation followed by direct hydration emerges as the most promising route, offering superior profitability, resilience to price volatility, and favorable technical and environmental performance.
Isopropanol is a widely used solvent and chemical. The growing demand for isopropanol, the declining supply of typical feedstocks for manufacturing isopropanol, and the increasing prices necessitate the search for alternative, cost-effective, and sustainable pathways for the production of isopropanol. The objective of this work is to synthesize, screen, design, and assess alternate pathways to produce isopropanol. First, biomass- and fossil-based raw materials are considered along with plausible reaction pathways. A process synthesis and integration approach is used to create and prune the alternatives based on branching, matching, and prescreening. For the promising candidates, process simulation, design, and technoeconomic assessment are carried out to compare the options. Under the studied conditions, the results show that propane dehydrogenation followed by direct hydration is the most promising pathway based on profitability (while accounting for price volatility) as well as technical and environmental benefits.
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