Jing Wang

Senior Design (Bachelor Degree Design)                                                                                            

Synthesis of Tetrahydrafuran from N-butane

For the synthesis of tetrahydrofuran, we got varieties of methods from the journals and patents, and in this design we will use n-butane to get pure tetrahydrofuran. The process is made up of two reactions. Initially maleic anhydride (MAH) is produced from n-butane, and then tetrahydrofuran (THF) is produced from the MAH. Also side reactions and by-product are considered and dealed with in each part. For the design of the equipments, such as sizing, the detailed calculations are also included.

To simulate this process, we use Aspen Plus. The pictures of the Aspen simulation are showed above. For convenience, the first and second reaction parts are separated. The NRTL property method was used in the simulation. Indeed, Peng-Rob and NRTL both work well, but in order to cooperate with the 2nd part of the whole process, we choose NRTL.The economic analysis of this process was completed with the goal of finding the net present value of the project after 10 years of operation. The cose of land for the facility is estimated at $455,000. CAPCOST was used for the bare module cost of the equipment needed. After the economic analysis, optimization is also developed. Some of the process streams and equipments are newly designed. Besides heat integration is also developed. However, the process profitablility is still negative. After all the process design, the safety and environmental analysis is performed.

Finally the optimization does not make the process profitable however it reduces the deficit. We suggest that further optimization be explored before construction of the plant begins. After the process is running fine tuning and final optimization may be determined. The main reason this process is not profitable is because of the high cost of hydrogen. We suggest exploring more profitable final products using Tetrahydrofuran.

• Design group member: Jing Wang, Laura Chong, Cody Farinella, Andrew Nandor, Laura Music

• This is a design project of my course Chemical Engineering Design 1, and I also use it as my senior design for my Bachelor's Degree. Presentations are performed in both Mizzou and East China University of Science and Technology.
• University of Missouri - Columbia, Department of Chemical Engineering, 08/2011 - 12/2011
• Advisor: Dr. Matthew Bernards