Practical comparison of traditional and definitive screening designs in chemical process development

Abstract

Traditional Screening Designs, such as resolution III 2k-p fractional factorials are used routinely in the initial stages of process development. These designs are used to determine which process variables have the largest effect on process outcomes. Once a screening design is complete and the data are analysed, follow-up experiments are normally required in order to develop useful prediction equations involving the important variables and to identify the optimal process operating conditions. Recently developed definitive screening designs allow researchers to identify important variables and optimum process conditions after one set of experiments, eliminating the need for follow-up experiments. This leads to the question: What is now the role of traditional and definitive screening designs in process optimisation? We share our insights gained from using both of these designs in developing a process to produce catalyst support material to shed light on these questions.