Modeling, analysis and multi-objective optimization of an industrial batch process for the production of tributyl citrate

Abstract

This work describes the modeling and optimization of a trybutil citrate (TBC) production process at the industrial scale. The process comprises a batch reactive distillation for the esterification of citric acid with butanol. The dynamic model of the process was constructed based upon validated kinetic and thermodynamic models, implemented in gPROMSⓇ software, verified with industrial scale experiments, and used for further optimization to minimize batch time and energy consumption. Manipulated process variables were the molar ratio of butanol to citric acid, the alcohol loading policy, and the heat supply profile, and a Pareto front of optimal solutions was obtained. Depending on the main goal, the optimization process allowed to obtain energy savings up to 28%, and the corresponding processing times were reduced by 36%. Finally, multi-attribute utility theory (MAUT) approach was used as decision-making aid tool to select the preferred operating conditions for TBC production at the industrial scale.