Separations

The reactor effluent stream is typically a mixture of desirable products and by-products. Separation and purification of the desirable product can be a significant part of the overall cost of the process. A well-designed separation system is therefore extremely important.

Often, the same separation task can be achieved by more than one kind of separation process. On the other hand, a given separation process may not be able to achieve a certain separation task because of the presence of separation boundaries. One of the difficulties in separation system design is the selection of the correct combination of separation processes based on various driving forces, physical or chemical, for separating the mixture. Moreover, the optimum choice is a function of the reaction conditions, as the effluent composition is significantly influenced by the reaction.

CWB Tech has extensive experience in the development of various types of separation systems. Using our MOPD philosophy and approach, we can help you in developing the best separation system by understanding the limitations of each driving force available for the separation.

Our Services

CWB Tech provides the following services in the separations area:

Distillation-Based Separations

• Systematic analysis and design of simple as well as complex distillation systems, such as homogeneous and heterogeneous azeotropic systems, extractive distillation, and reactive distillation.
• Column sequencing to obtain a feasible separation and to meet the separations objectives with the lowest capital and energy cost.

We also collaborate with The University of Manchester Department of Process Integration on distillation problems.

Crystallization-Based Separations

• Synthesis of crystallization-based separation processes such as cooling, evaporative, and drowning-out crystallizations, based on a fundamental understanding of the underlying solid-liquid equilibrium behavior.

Solid-Liquid Separations

• Analysis and design of crystallizer downstream operations such as filtration and de-liquoring.

Reactive Separations

• Combining chemical reaction and separation into one operation using reactive-distillation, -crystallization or -extraction, in order to enhance the yield to the desired product.

Chromatography-Based Separation

• Total solution in the development of crystallization-chromatography hybrid separation processes, in collaboration with Chiral Sciences and Technologies Pte. Ltd. (CST)
• Supply of chiral stationary phases (CSPs) for chiral separations using chromatography

Please contact us for further information regarding our services in the separations area.

Reference Publications

• B. Harjo, C. Wibowo, and K. M. Ng, "Development of Natural Product Manufacturing Processes: Phytochemicals," Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 82(A8), 1010-1028 (2004).
• K. D. Samant, L. O'Young, M. Kwok, and K. M. Ng, "Workflow and Regression Methods for Determining Solid-Liquid Phase Diagrams," FOCAPD 2004 Proceedings, Princeton, New Jersey, USA (2004).
• B. Harjo, K. M. Ng, and C. Wibowo, "Visualization of High-Dimensional Liquid-Liquid Equilibrium Phase Diagrams", Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 43, 3566-3576 (2004).
• J. W. Schroer, C. Wibowo, and K. M. Ng, "Synthesis of Chiral Crystallization Processes," AIChE J., 47, 369-388 (2001).
• V. V. Kelkar, K. D. Samant, and K. M. Ng, "Design of Reactive Crystallization Processes," in Reactive Separation Processes (Edited by S. Kulprathipanja), Taylor and Francis, New York, pp.209 (2001).
• C. Wibowo and K. M. Ng, "Unified Approach for Synthesizing Crystallization-based Separation Processes," AIChE J., 46, 1400-1421 (2000).
• T. G. Pressly and K. M. Ng, "Process Boundary Approach to Separations Synthesis," AIChE J., 45, 1939-1952 (1999).
• M. A. B. Cesar and K. M. Ng, "Improving Product Recovery in Fractional Crystallization Processes: Retrofit of an Adipic Acid Plant," Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 38, 823-829 (1999).
• T. G. Pressly and K. M. Ng, "A Break-Even Analysis of Distillation-Membrane Hybrids," AIChE J., 44, 93-105 (1998).
• L. O'Young, Y. Natori, T. G. Pressly, and K. M. Ng, "A Physical Limitation Based Framework for Separations Synthesis," Comput. Chem. Eng., 21, S223 (1997).
• D. A. Berry and K. M. Ng, "Synthesis of Crystallization-Distillation Hybrid Separation Processes," AIChE J., 43, 1751-1762 (1997).
• D. A. Berry and K. M. Ng, "Synthesis of Reactive Crystallization Processes," AIChE J., 43, 1737-1750 (1997).
• D. A. Berry, S. R. Dye, and K. M. Ng, "Synthesis of Drowning-Out Crystallization-Based Separations," AIChE J., 43, 91-103 (1997).
• D. A. Berry and K. M. Ng, "Separation of Quatenary Conjugate Salt Systems by Fractional Crystallization," AIChE J., 42, 2162-2174 (1996).
• S. R. Dye and K. M. Ng , "Bypassing Eutectics with Extractive Crystallization: Design Alternatives and Tradeoffs," AIChE J., 41, 1456-1470 (1995).

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