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Separation operations are generally the most expensive components of chemical processes. Therefore, it is especially important to optimize separations to accelerate the concept-to-implementation timeline of a project. Designing these operations requires accurate and flexible thermodynamic models, but existing tools often fall short when applied to systems with polar components. The hydrogen bonding (or association) which occurs between these components has a dramatic effect on chemical properties and the phenomenon is poorly represented in traditional models.
Activity-based kinetic modeling
Diethyl succinate is valuable as a solvent and as an intermediate feedstock. In this project, we considered production of diethyl succinate from hydrolysis broth that may contain small amounts of acetic acid in addition to succinic acid. We considered esterification with ethanol.