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- 2017 (6) (entfernen)
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- Process Analytical Technology (3)
- EuroPACT (2)
- Hydroformylation (2)
- Microemulsions (2)
- Mini-plant (2)
- Reaction Monitoring (2)
- Chemometrics (1)
- Dispersion (1)
- First principles (1)
- Indirect hard modeling (1)
Reaction monitoring in disperse systems, such as emulsions, is of significant technical importance in various disciplines like biotechnological engineering, chemical industry, food science, and a growing number other technical fields. These systems pose several challenges when it comes to process analytics, such as heterogeneity of mixtures, changes in optical behavior, and low optical activity. Concerning this, online nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a powerful technique for process monitoring in complex reaction mixtures due to its unique direct comparison abilities, while at the same time being non-invasive and independent of optical properties of the sample. In this study the applicability of online-spectroscopic methods on the homogeneously catalyzed hydroformylation system of 1-dodecene to tridecanal is investigated, which is operated in a mini-plant scale at Technische Universität Berlin. The design of a laboratory setup for process-like calibration experiments is presented, including a 500 MHz online NMR spectrometer, a benchtop NMR device with 43 MHz proton frequency as well as two Raman probes and a flow cell assembly for an ultraviolet and visible light (UV/VIS) spectrometer. Results of high-resolution online NMR spectroscopy are shown and technical as well as process-specific problems observed during the measurements are discussed.
A major industrial reaction based on homogeneous catalysis is hydroformylation for the production of aldehydes from alkenes and syngas. Hydroformylation in microemulsions, which is currently under investigation at Technische Universität Berlin on a mini-plant scale, was identified as a cost efficient approach which also enhances product selectivity. Herein, we present the application of online Raman spectroscopy on the reaction of 1-dodecene to 1-tridecanal within a microemulsion. To achieve a good representation of the operation range in the mini-plant with regard to concentrations of the reactants a design of experiments was used. Based on initial Raman spectra partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were calibrated for the prediction of 1-dodecene and 1-tridecanal. Limits of predictions arise from nonlinear correlations between Raman intensity and mass fractions of compounds in the microemulsion system. Furthermore, the prediction power of PLSR models becomes limited due to unexpected by-product formation. Application of the lab-scale derived calibration spectra and PLSR models on online spectra from a mini-plant operation yielded promising estimations of 1-tridecanal and acceptable predictions of 1-dodecene mass fractions suggesting Raman spectroscopy as a suitable technique for process analytics in microemulsions.
Hydroformylation of short-chained olefins has been established as a standard industrial process for the production of C2 to C6 aldehydes. Using aqueous solutions of transition metal complexes these processes are carried out homogeneously catalyzed. A biphasic approach allows for highly efficient catalyst recovery. Regarding renewable feedstocks, the hydroformylation of long-chained alkenes (> C10) in a biphasic system, using highly selective rhodium catalysts has yet not been shown. Therefore, the Collaborative Research Center SFB/TR 63 InPROMPT develops new process concepts, involving innovative tuneable solvent systems to enable rather difficult or so far nonviable synthesis paths. One possible concept is the hydroformylation of long-chained alkenes in microemulsions. For this, a modular mixer-settler concept was proposed, combining high reaction rates and efficient catalyst recycling via the application of technical grade surfactants. The feasibility of such a concept is evaluated in a fully automated, modular mini-plant system within which the characteristics of such a multiphase system pose several obstacles for the operation. Maintaining a stable phase separation for efficient product separation and catalyst recycling is complicated by small and highly dynamic operation windows as well as poor measurability of component concentrations in the liquid phases. In this contribution, a model-based strategy is presented to enable concentration tracking and phase state control within dynamic mini-plant experiments. Raman spectroscopy is used as an advanced process analytical tool, which allows for online in-situ tracking of concentrations. Combined with optical and conductivity analysis optimal plant trajectories can be calculated via the solution of dynamic optimization problem under uncertainty. Applying these, a stable reaction yield of 40 % was achieved, combined with an oil phase purity of 99,8 % (total amount of oily components in the oil phase) and catalyst leaching below 0.1 ppm.
Monitoring chemical reactions is the key to chemical process control. Today, mainly optical online methods are applied, which require excessive calibration effort. NMR spectroscopy has a high potential for direct loop process control while exhibiting short set-up times. Compact NMR instruments make NMR spectroscopy accessible in industrial and harsh environments for advanced process Monitoring and control, as demonstrated within the European Union’s Horizon 2020 project CONSENS.
We present a range of approaches for the automated spectra analysis moving from conventional multivariate statistical approach, (i.e., Partial Least Squares Regression) to physically motivated spectral models (i.e., Indirect Hard Modelling and Quantum Mechanical calculations). By using the benefits of traditional qNMR experiments data analysis models can meet the demands of the PAT community (Process Analytical Technology) regarding low calibration effort/calibration free methods, fast adaptions for new reactants or derivatives and robust automation schemes.
Within the Collaborative Research Center InPROMPT a novel process concept for the hydroformylation of long-chained olefins is studied in a mini-plant, using a rhodium complex as catalyst in the presence of syngas. Recently, the hydroformylation in micro¬emulsions, which allows for the efficient recycling of the expensive rhodium catalyst, was found to be feasible. However, the high sensitivity of this multi-phase system with regard to changes in temperature and composition demands a continuous observation of the reaction to achieve a reliable and economic plant operation. For that purpose, we tested the potential of both online NMR and Raman spectroscopy for process control. The lab-scale experiments were supported by off-line GC-analysis as a reference method.
A fiber optic coupled probe of a process Raman spectrometer was directly integrated into the reactor. 25 mixtures with varying concentrations of olefin (1-dodecene), product (n-tridecanal), water, n-dodecane, and technical surfactant (Marlipal 24/70) were prepared according to a D-optimal design. Online NMR spectroscopy was implemented by using a flow probe equipped with 1/16” PFA tubing serving as a flow cell. This was hyphenated to the reactor within a thermostated bypass to maintain process conditions in the transfer lines.
Partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were established based on the initial spectra after activation of the reaction with syngas for the prediction of unknown concentrations of 1-dodecene and n-tridecanal over the course of the reaction in the lab-scale system. The obtained Raman spectra do not only contain information on the chemical composition but are further affected by the emulsion properties of the mixtures, which depend on the phase state and the type of micelles. Based on the spectral signature of both Raman and NMR spectra, it could be deduced that especially in reaction mixtures with high 1-dodecene content the formation of isomers as a competitive reaction was dominating. Similar trends were also observed during some of the process runs in the mini-plant. The multivariate calibration allowed for the estimation of reactants and products of the hydroformylation reaction in both laboratory setup and mini-plant.
Monitoring chemical reactions is the key to chemical process control. Today, mainly
optical online methods are applied. NMR spectroscopy has a high potential for direct
loop process control. Compact NMR instruments based on permanent magnets
are robust and relatively inexpensive analysers, which feature advantages like low
cost, low maintenance, ease of use, and cryogen-free operation. Instruments for
online NMR measurements equipped with a flow-through cell, possessing a good
signal-to-noise-ratio, sufficient robustness, and meeting the requirements for
integration into industrial plants (i.e., explosion safety and fully automated data
analysis) are currently not available off the rack.
Intensified continuous processes are in focus of current research. Flexible (modular)
chemical plants can produce different products using the same equipment with short
down-times between campaigns and quick introduction of new products to the
market. In continuous flow processes online sensor data and tight closed-loop control
of the product quality are mandatory. If these are not available, there is a huge risk of
producing large amounts of out-of-spec (OOS) products. This is addressed in the
European Unionʼs Research Project CONSENS (Integrated Control and Sensing)
by development and integration of smart sensor modules for process monitoring and
control within such modular plant setups.
The presented NMR module is provided in an explosion proof housing of 57 x 57 x
85 cm module size and involves a compact 43.5 MHz NMR spectrometer together
with an acquisition unit and a programmable logic controller for automated data
preparation (phasing, baseline correction) and evaluation. Indirect Hard Modeling
(IHM) was selected for data analysis of the low-field NMR spectra. A set-up for
monitoring continuous reactions in a thermostated 1/8” tubular reactor using
automated syringe pumps was used to validate the IHM models by using high-field
NMR spectroscopy as analytical reference method.