Empirical Modelling and Optimization of PAME Reactive Distillation Process Using Minitab

GIWA, Abdulwahab and ADEYI, Abel Adekanmi and GIWA, Saidat Olanipekun (2015) Empirical Modelling and Optimization of PAME Reactive Distillation Process Using Minitab. International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, 6 (6). pp. 1-12. ISSN 2229-5518

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Abstract

The development and optimization of an empirical model of a reactive distillation process producing palmitic acid methyl ester (PAME), with the aid of Minitab, have been carried out in this work. In order to achieve these, Box-Behnken technique of response surface methodology was used to design experiments that were carried out in a prototype plant of the process developed with the aid of Aspen HYSYS using Distillation Column SubFlowsheet as the column type and Wilson model as the fluid package. The results obtained from the analysis of the developed full quadratic model revealed that reboiler duty was not having any significant effect on the process as its probability value (P-value) was obtained to be greater than 0.05 that was chosen, based on the confidence level of 95%.This was found to justify the fact that no reaction was occurring in the reboiler section of the column. Based on this, the full quadratic model developed was modified. Although the R-squared value of the full quadratic model was found to be better than that of the modified one, the latter was found to be better in prediction because its predicted R-squared value was discovered to be greater than that of the former. In addition, the optimum values of the factors estimated with the aid of Minitab were found to be valid ones because the measured optimum mole fraction of palmitic acid methyl ester was found be in good agreement with the predicted one given by the Box-Behnken technique of response surface methodology.

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