Ethylene Production Research Articles

Integrating solid oxide electrolysis cells and H2-O2 combustion for low-emission high-temperature heating with heat pump in the chemical industry

Low-emission high-temperature heating could be achieved by exploiting electrical heating, clean fuel, or carbon capture. However, it is difficult to replace current coal or natural gas furnaces in some places because the high-temperature thermal demand needs combustion. In the present work, the green hydrogen production process by solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC) and H2-O2 combustion is integrated into ethylene production. The working conditions of electrolyzer and furnace are analyzed. The SOEC should work over 800°C to keep endothermic state no matter the current density. To produce the hydrogen of 80 MW heat value, the electric consumption is at least 69.4 MW. With the high-temperature waste heat of 7.76 MW, an additional 3 MW power is required for water electrolysis. The heat released during condensation of combustion products is 30.52 MW, much higher than 13.19 MW from SOEC products. Therefore, the heat pump is necessary to recycle the waste heat of water condensation and generate steam as the electrolysis ingredient and cooling medium, which saves 63 % of energy. Although the total energy consumption increases by 11.23 % from 80.23 MW to 89.24 MW, the CO2 emission drops by 84.28 %.

Tea tree essential oil and its impact on blue mold, volatile compounds, and postharvest quality of ‘Fuji’ apples: A study of laboratory-extracted and commercial essential oils

This study evaluated the effects of tea tree essential oil (TTO) on blue mold severity, volatile compound profiles, and postharvest quality of ‘Fuji’ apples during cold storage. Two experiments were conducted using laboratory-extracted TTO from Brazil and commercial TTO from Australia, applied by vaporization at various concentrations. Both types of TTO affected major volatile compounds, including terpinen-4-ol, γ-terpinene, and α-terpinene. The laboratory-extracted TTO had higher of 1,8-cineole, while commercial TTO had more p-cymene. TTO reduced blue mold severity up to 115 μL L−1 (laboratory) and 99 μL L−1 (commercial). Ethylene production decreased with laboratory-extracted TTO up to 64 μL L−1, while commercial TTO decreased ethylene production. Laboratory TTO increased the respiratory up to 41 μL L−1 before declining, whereas commercial TTO continuously decreased the respiratory. Higher concentrations of laboratory TTO decreased flesh firmness and lightness.TTO types altered the apples' volatile profiles, reducing ‘Fuji’ apple aromas.

CO2 utilization and on-purpose ethylene production: a chemical looping approach

CO2-assisted ethane dehydrogenation (CO2-ODHE) is a promising carbon atom economy process for upgrading CO2 to CO in tandem with C2H6 to C2H4 conversion. Iron oxide-based materials are selective for on purpose ethylene production through CO2-ODHE. The feed admission mode was found to play an important role on catalytic performance. Alternating C2H6 (reduction step) and CO2 (oxidation step) feedstock to a fixed bed reactor (chemical looping concept, CO2-ODHE-CL) attained constant ethane and CO2 conversion per step at 600oC, equal to ~17.6%, while C2H4 selectivity during the reduction step was ~75%. The lattice oxygen mobility is a descriptor for the materials used during the CO2-ODHE-CL, since low mobility resulted in an increased C-H bond scission selectivity, i.e., C2H4 production, during the reduction step. Temperature programmed 18O2 isotope exchange experiments, along with temperature programmed H2 – reduction, were employed to exemplify the latter statement, investigating the lattice oxygen reactivity of the examined materials and the mechanism through which the lattice oxygen is reacting. X-ray techniques (X-ray Diffraction, X-ray Raman Scattering Spectrometry, X-ray Absorption Spectrometry) along with structural modeling demonstrated that the formation of a spinel like arrangement between Mg and Fe, stabilized lattice oxygen and thus minimized the undesired C-C bond scission during the C2H6 step of CO2-ODHE-CL.

A multi-scale method for the study of deep drying of ethylene with 3A zeolite

Coal-based ethanol to ethylene (ETE) is an emerging production pathway with the advantages of a short construction period, high product purity, and few by-products. N2 is commonly used in industry to regenerate zeolites during the ETE process, with the problems of excessive material consumption, energy consumption and environmental pollution. To solve this problem, this paper proposed a method of using the ethylene product as regeneration gas to regenerate the zeolite and recover the desorbed gas. In this work, we adopted a multi-scale simulation method combining microscale apparent diffusivity and macroscale mass transfer models. Reactive force field and molecular dynamics (ReaxFF-MD) were used to obtain an equation for the diffusion coefficient versus temperature. The start-up of the twin-tower temperature and pressure swing adsorption (TPSA) process was simulated using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The TPSA process achieved an outlet water content below 5 ppm, fulfilling the process specifications.

Remarkable C2H4 separation at ambient condition with a chemically sturdy porous MOF through pore confinement

An alternate to energy intensive cryogenic high-pressure distillation process for the separation of ethylene from its gas mixture with ethane is highly appealing. In this contribution, a highly chemically robust microporous MOF named 1 (stable in water, boiling water, and pH = 2–11) has been employed for preferential ethylene sorption with excellent selectivity. The simulation study disclosed the selective pore confinement of ethylene through non-covalent interactions with the amine and carboxylate sites of the framework backbone. Column breakthrough study unveiled 15.2 and 24.8 L kg−1 ethylene production per cycle at 298 K for the 50:50 and 90:10 (v/v) C2H4/C2H6 mixture which places this MOF as one of the best physisorbent material for ethylene separation. Industrial applicability is tested in a hydrous environment (displaying unaltered performance) as well as its regenerability under vacuum or mild heating for successive cyclic operations.

Unlocking Copper-Free Interfacial Asymmetric C-C Coupling for Ethylene Photosynthesis from CO2 and H2O.

Solar-driven carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction into C2+ products such as ethylene represents an enticing route toward achieving carbon neutrality. However, due to sluggish electron transfer and intricate C-C coupling, it remains challenging to achieve highly efficient and selective ethylene production from CO2 and H2O beyond capitalizing on Cu-based catalysts. Herein, we report a judicious design to attain asymmetric C-C coupling through interfacial defect-rendered tandem catalytic centers within a sulfur-vacancy-rich MoSx/Fe2O3 photocatalyst sheet, enabling a robust CO2 photoreduction to ethylene without the need for copper, noble metals, and sacrificial agents. Specifically, interfacial S vacancies induce adjacent under-coordinated S atoms to form Fe-S bonds as a rapid electron-transfer pathway for yielding a Z-scheme band alignment. Moreover, these S vacancies further modulate the strong coupling interaction to generate a nitrogenase-analogous Mo-Fe heteronuclear unit and induce the upward shift of the d-band center. This bioinspired interface structure effectively suppresses electrostatic repulsion between neighboring *CO and *COH intermediates via d-p hybridization, ultimately facilitating an asymmetric C-C coupling to achieve a remarkable solar-to-chemical efficiency of 0.565% with a superior selectivity of 84.9% for ethylene production. Further strengthened by MoSx/WO3, our design unveils a promising platform for optimizing interfacial electron transfer and offers a new option for C2+ synthesis from CO2 and H2O using copper-free and noble metal-free catalysts.

Alkoxy Exchange Strategy for the Synthesis of N,N'-Dimethylated (Alkoxy)triazinediones as Solid Reagents for Acid-Catalyzed O-Alkylation.

N,N'-Dimethylated (alkoxy)triazinediones (DMATs-R) with eight different O-alkyl groups (R), such as benzyl, allyl, and tert-butyl groups, were synthesized in 61-94% yield through the alkoxy exchange reaction of DMAT-Me with the corresponding alcohol. Molecular sieves were added to the reaction mixture to shift the alkoxy exchange equilibrium toward the product via the absorptive removal of the methanol formed in situ. All the DMATs-R were obtained as stable solids, in contrast to previously reported N,N'-diallyl analogs that included oil compounds. The treatment of alcohols with DMATs-R in the presence of an acid catalyst afforded the corresponding alkyl ethers in up to 92% yield. A base-labile bromoalkyl group is compatible with these reactions. The O-tert-butylation of a sterically hindered tert-alcohol with DMAT-tBu yielded the di-tert-butyl ether product. The DMATs-R are suitable reagents for the O-alkylative protection of alcohols under nonbasic conditions.

Synthesis of Branched α-Olefins via Trimerization and Tetramerization of Ethylene.

α-Olefins are very important bulk and fine chemicals and their synthesis from ethylene, an abundantly available and inexpensive feedstock, is highly attractive. Unfortunately, the direct or on-purpose synthesis of olefins from ethylene is limited to three examples, 1-butene, 1-hexene, and 1-octene, all having a linear structure. Herein, the direct synthesis of 3-methylenepentane and 4-ethylhex-1-ene, branched trimerization, and tetramerization products of ethylene, respectively, is reported. Different molecular titanium catalysts, all highly active, with a selectivity toward the formation of the branched ethylene trimer or tetramer, the employment of different activators, and different reaction conditions are the key to selective product formation. The long-time stability of selected catalysts employed permits upscaling as demonstrated for the synthesis of 4-ethylhex-1-ene (52g isolated, TON(ethylene) 10.7 · 106).

Enhancement of ethylene selectivity in chemical looping oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane using manganese-based redox catalysts supported on HY zeolite

As the crucial role of zeolite catalysts becomes increasingly prominent in refining and petrochemical industries, this study introduces a novel application of xMn / HY catalysts in ethane catalytic dehydrogenation via Chemical Looping Oxidative Dehydrogenation (CL-ODH). The synergistic effect of manganese oxides on the HY framework and a moderate amount of acidic sites within the catalyst facilitates the cleavage of C-H bonds and the desorption of olefins, which are vital for advancing ethane CL-ODH. We identified the reasons for maintaining high ethylene selectivity using advanced characterization techniques such as XRD, SEM, TEM, BET, H2-TPR, NH3-TPD, and Py-IR. Notably, under optimized conditions at 700 °C with a gas time-space velocity (GHSV) of 1800 mL·h−1·g−1, the 3Mn/HY catalyst achieved approximately 97.1 % selectivity for ethylene and a 22.7 % conversion of ethane. These findings present a scalable route for ethylene production, showcasing significant industrial relevance by potentially reducing energy costs and improving yield.

Impacts of submergence stress on rice plants and its adaptation: A review

The main aim of this review is to convey information in summarized form by compiling and interpreting the major findings of recent studies on the impacts of submergence stress on rice and tolerance mechanisms. Published research papers available in Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Pub Med, mainly by Elsevier and SpringerLink, were critically analyzed and summarized for the preparation of the manuscript. In rice, plant survival rates, growth, and development are adversely affected by submergence. Major findings documented that submergence alters the soil aeration and creates hypoxic and anoxic conditions, which results in low photosynthetic efficiency and sugar status in rice plants. Compared to a tolerant cultivar, a sensitive cultivar produces more ethylene and causes injury to the plant. Controlled underwater shoot elongation, higher conserved non-structural carbohydrates, and better hormonal regulation, especially ethylene and gibberellin, and abscisic acid, are the primary adaptive mechanisms of tolerant plants in submergence, which helps better recovery at the post-submergence stage, too. The Sub1 gene and the associated QTLs are crucial for the superior performance of tolerant cultivars in submergence. Any agronomic management practices that can reduce ethylene production and enhance the nutrient status of plants can alleviate the severity of submergence. Understanding the intricate relationship between submergence and rice plant response is essential, mainly how submergence affects the rice plant and its tolerance mechanism to develop resilient rice cultivars that can grow in flood-prone regions.

Defective MOF incorporating CF3 functionality via fragmented linker co-assembly for high C2H6/C2H4 selectivity and C2H6 uptake

The production of high-purity ethylene requires an adsorbent with high C2H6/C2H4 selectivity, outstanding C2H6 adsorption, and facile C2H6 regeneration. Towards this goal, a series of novel defective CF3-functionalized metal–organic framework (MOF) materials (UiO-66-nCF3, n = 25, 50, 60, and 75) were synthesized by co-assembling the framework with terephthalic acid as the linker and various percentages (n) of CF3-functionalized ligands. The C2H6 adsorption strength increased as the density of CF3 groups increased. In particular, UiO-66-50CF3 exhibited high C2H6/C2H4 selectivity (2.04), excellent C2H6 adsorption (2.5 mmol/g), and modest C2H6 isosteric heat of adsorption (Qst) (∼28.9 kJ/mol). Additionally, the material exhibited high C2H6/C2H4 breakthrough selectivity (1.64) and large high-purity (>99.9 %) C2H4 productivity (7.32 LSTP kg−1) under dynamic flow conditions (C2H6/C2H4 = 1:15 (v/v)). UiO-66-50CF3 could readily be regenerated at room temperature, and demonstrated good hydrothermal stability in boiling water for 1 h and high thermal stability up to 500 °C. The incorporation of a high density of CF3 groups within a MOF via fragmented linker co-assembly is a promising strategy for developing adsorbents for C2H6/C2H4 separation.

Growth, Photosynthesis and Yield Responses of Common Wheat to Foliar Application of Methylobacterium symbioticum under Decreasing Chemical Nitrogen Fertilization

Current agriculture intensifies crop cultivation to meet food demand, leading to unsustainable use of chemical fertilizers. This study investigates a few physiological and agronomic responses of common wheat following the inoculation with plant growth-promoting bacteria to reduce nitrogen inputs. A field trial was conducted in 2022–2023, in Legnago (Verona, Italy) on Triticum aestivum var. LG-Auriga comparing full (180 kg ha−1) and reduced (130 kg ha−1) N doses, both with and without foliar application at end tillering of the N-fixing bacterium Methylobacterium symbioticum. Biofertilization did not improve shoot growth, while it seldom increased the root length density in the arable layer. It delayed leaf senescence, prolonged photosynthetic activity, and amplified stomatal conductance and PSII efficiency under the reduced N dose. Appreciable ACC-deaminase activity of such bacterium disclosed augmented nitrogen retrieval and reduced ethylene production, explaining the ameliorated stay-green. Yield and test weight were unaffected by biofertilization, while both glutenin-to-gliadin and HMW-to-LMW ratios increased together with dough tenacity. It is concluded that Methylobacterium symbioticum can amplify nitrogen metabolism at a reduced nitrogen dose, offering a viable approach to reduce chemical fertilization under suboptimal growing conditions for achieving a more sustainable agriculture. Further research over multiple growing seasons and soil types is necessary to corroborate these preliminary observations.

Methyl jasmonate activated regulatory module Ma14-3-3e-MbHLH130-MbACO13/MbACS7 promoting ethylene biosynthesis and fruit ripening in banana

Methyl jasmonate (MeJA), an important phytohormone, plays a vital role in many biological processes. However, its effect and mechanism in regulating ethylene synthesis and fruit ripening in banana remain unknown. In this research, we found that exogenous MeJA accelerated postharvest ripening of banana, which coincided with increased ethylene production and upregulation of MbACS7 and MbACO13 expression. MabHLH130 directly interacted with and stimulated the transcription of MbACS7 and MbACO13. Additionally, MabHLH130 interacted with Ma14-3-3e through the RHSSSP motif. Overexpression of either MabHLH130 or Ma14-3–3e in tomato promoted ethylene production and fruit ripening, and this effect was enhanced by exogenous MeJA treatment. Furthermore, the Ma14-3–3e-MabHLH130 interaction module activated MbACS7 and MbACO13 transcription, which was enhanced by exogenous MeJA treatment. Taken together, these results demonstrated that the MeJA-responsive Ma14-3–3e-MabHLH130-MbACS7/MbACO13 module promoted ethylene biosynthesis and fruit ripening in bananas, providing valuable genetic targets for breeding programs aimed at extending fruit shelf-life.

Deciphering the Effects of Different Calcium Sources on the Plant Growth, Yield, Quality, and Postharvest Quality Parameters of ‘Tomato’

Tomatoes are one of the most important vegetables in every home, especially in South Asian countries, used as a vegetable, ketchup, and condiment in many kitchen recipes. It is a good source of calcium, potassium, folate, vitamin A, vitamin K, and lycopene, which are beneficial for the human body and protect it against different diseases. Nutrient management is a key factor for the best quality production of tomato fruit. The present study was conducted to compare the efficiency of different calcium salts (calcium sulphate, calcium carbonate, calcium nitrate, and calcium chloride) in improving the growth, yield, and other quality-related parameters of tomatoes. A single field experiment was conducted and laid out according to the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with a single factor in the field and a Complete Randomized Design (CRD)) for postharvest fruit storage. The results obtained from this experiment suggest that plants treated with 2% calcium chloride solution exhibited the greatest plant height (85.27 cm), number of leaves (221), yield per plant (2.3 kg), ascorbate peroxidase (290.75 m mol s−1 kg−1), superoxide dismutase (7.13 m mol s−1 kg−1), catalase (18.74 m mol s−1 kg−1), total phenolics (2.44 mg g−1), and β carotene (0.48 µg g−1). During postharvest storage, the maximum shelf life (18 days), minimum disease incidence (4.78%), weight loss (6.61%), and ethylene production (119.6 µL C2H4 kg−1h−1) rate were also observed in calcium-treated fruits.

Virus-Induced galactinol-sucrose galactosyltransferase 2 Silencing Delays Tomato Fruit Ripening.

Tomato fruit ripening is an elaborate genetic trait correlating with significant changes at physiological and biochemical levels. Sugar metabolism plays an important role in this highly orchestrated process and ultimately determines the quality and nutritional value of fruit. However, the mode of molecular regulation is not well understood. Galactinoal-sucrose galactosyltransferase (GSGT), a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs), can transfer the galactose unit from 1-α-D-galactosyl-myo-inositol to sucrose and yield raffinose, or catalyze the reverse reaction. In the present study, the expression of SlGSGT2 was decreased by Potato Virus X (PVX)-mediated gene silencing, which led to an unripe phenotype in tomato fruit. The physiological and biochemical changes induced by SlGSGT2 silencing suggested that the process of fruit ripening was delayed as well. SlGSGT2 silencing also led to significant changes in gene expression levels associated with ethylene production, pigment accumulation, and ripening-associated transcription factors (TFs). In addition, the interaction between SlGSGT2 and SlSPL-CNR indicated a possible regulatory mechanism via ripening-related TFs. These findings would contribute to illustrating the biological functions of GSGT2 in tomato fruit ripening and quality forming.

Fabrication and characterization of bioactive curdlan and sodium alginate films for enhancing the shelf life of Volvariella volvacea

This study aimed to develop bioactive films based on curdlan (CD) and sodium alginate (SA) to enhance the shelf life of the Volvariella volvacea mushroom. A stable nanoemulsion of droplet size of 150.1 ± 5 nm was first formulated using 5% soy protein (Sp) and 10% lavender essential oil (LEO), achieved by ultrasound treatment for 10 min, resulting in small droplet sizes. In parallel, a CD-SA film was prepared by mixing them in a 1:1 ratio. The SpLEO nanoemulsion was then ex situ added to the CD-SA film at varying concentrations (4%, 6%, 8%, and 10%). The resulting bioactive film exhibited desirable properties, including water vapor permeability (1.15 ± 0.05 × 10−10 g m−1 Pa−1 s−1), swelling rate (547%), and tensile strength (10.1 ± 1.3 MPa). Docking and structural analyses suggested that ultrasound treatment enhanced the intermolecular hydrogen bonding, creating a uniform and regular surface and reduced crystallinity. The CD-SA film with ultrasound-treated 8% SpLEO nanoemulsion [i.e., (CD-SA/SpLEO-8)US] showed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and extended the freshness of straw mushrooms prevention of spoilage during storage. Additionally, the film reduced respiration rate (975 mg CO₂/kg/h at 96 h) and ethylene production (160 ng/kg/s by 96 h) while effectively inhibiting straw mushroom autolysis. This led to a reduction in browning (2.91), total soluble solids (7.5%), weight loss (13.9%), and polyphenol oxidase activity (0.08 ΔOD420/min⋅g), thereby extending the shelf life of the mushrooms to 96 h. These findings highlight the potential of incorporating different molecules using ultrasound treatment to develop innovative edible films for food preservation.

Methyl salicylate induces endogenous jasmonic acid and salicylic acid in 'Nam Dok Mai' mango to maintain postharvest ripening and quality

Salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) are indispensable phytohormones whose interaction influences the ripening process in plants. Methyl salicylate (MeSA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) have been utilized to elevate the endogenous levels of SA and JA in horticultural products after harvest. However, their ability to preserve mango is uncertain. Individually and combined effects of exogenous MeSA and MeJA on mango ripening quality were investigated. 'Nam Dok Mai' mangoes were fumigated with MeSA, MeJA, and MeSA plus MeJA (MeSAJA) prior to storage for 6 d at 25 °C and 80–85% relative humidity (RH). Fruit ripening attributes, respiration rate, ethylene (ET) production, total phenolics (TP), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assessed. Endogenous SA and JA levels were measured, as were the activities of lipoxygenase (LOX) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), and the expression of related genes MiPAL, MiICS, and MiLOX. Individual application of MeSA or MeJA preserved the mango quality by reducing ET production, respiration rate, and MDA levels while raising TP shortly after treatment. The ripening quality mirrored the induced SA and JA levels and correlated with the high expression of biosynthetic-related genes (MiPAL, MiICS, and MiLOX). Individual treatments stimulated SA and JA biosynthesis, demonstrating that these phytohormones are functionally connected and interdependent. When combined, MeSAJA caused a tradeoff response and distinct phenotypic outcomes compared to the individual treatments. As a result, MeSA fumigation is a practical method for preserving mango quality after harvest.

Impact of postharvest dips with abscisic acid, prohexadione, calcium, or water on bitter pit incidence and apple physiology

Bitter pit causes significant losses to apple producers, packers, and retailers each year. While bitter pit is often associated with calcium deficiency, this postharvest disorder is still not fully understood. Some studies have demonstrated positive effects of preharvest sprays with prohexadione and abscisic acid. To evaluate the effects of these phytohormones as postharvest dips, ‘Granny Smith’ apples were dipped after harvest in prohexadione-Ca, abscisic acid, or CaCl2. Undipped and water dipped fruit were included as controls. Bitter pit incidence and severity were evaluated on fruit stored at 0 °C and >90 % RH for 68–75 d. Postharvest prohexadione-Ca and abscisic acid treatments did not reduce bitter pit incidence over two years of testing. However, there was an increase in bitter pit incidence in control fruit dipped in water and surfactant compared to undipped control fruit in the first year of testing. This increase (7.5–14 %) was observed again in water dipped control fruit in each of the following 2 years of experimentation. Inclusion of 1 % calcium chloride in the dip solution eliminated this increase in bitter pit incidence. Applying calcium with a surfactant increased the apoplastic calcium concentration and reduced bitter pit development compared to water dipped fruit. Results indicate that the increase in bitter pit induced by water dips may be due to removal of residual calcium on the fruit’s surface from preharvest calcium treatments. Ethylene production was higher in bitter pit fruit compared to healthy fruit. Reduced and total ascorbate were decreased in pitted fruit compared to healthy calcium dipped fruit. Dichlorofluoresceine diacetate fluorescence was higher in tissue adjacent to pits compared to healthy tissue from healthy fruit, indicating accumulation of reactive oxygen species. However, no consistent trend was observed in antioxidant enzyme activity. These results indicate that bitter pit shares some, but not all, of the oxidative metabolic trends observed in other fruit calcium deficiency disorders.

Dimerization of perfluoropropyl vinyl ether during the pyrolysis of hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer

Dimerization of perfluoropropyl vinyl ether (PPVE) generally reduces its yield and selectivity during the pyrolysis of hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer ((HFPO)2). However, the mechanism of PPVE dimerization is not well understood. In this paper, the PPVE dimer was obtained during the pyrolysis of (HFPO)2. Subsequently, the chemical structure of PPVE dimer was further determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The results showed that the concentration of PPVE dimer rises in proportion to the extended reflux time of PPVE in the reaction system. Based on the experimental phenomenon, a possible generation mechanism of PPVE dimer was then proposed, and the possibility of the generation pathway was further verified in combination with density functional theory (DFT). In addition, to effectively reduce the production of PPVE dimer, crown ethers and quaternary ammonium salts were added to the reaction system as phase transfer catalysts. Among them, the phase transfer catalyst (15-crown-5) was more effective and reduced the PPVE dimer content from 1.34 % to 0.31 %. This work provides an idea to inhibit the dimerization of PPVE and increase the yield and selectivity of PPVE.

Assessment of Hazards in the High‐Pressure Continuous Flow Reactor for Dimethyl Ether (DME) Synthesis

AbstractThe objective of this study is to conduct a thorough hazard analysis specifically tailored to identify hazards and suggest precautions associated with the intricate process of dimethyl ether (DME) production. This exothermic nature of DME production introduces the critical concern of thermal runaway. Furthermore, the DME synthesis process demands precise control over both pressure and flow rate. These parameters are important for increasing DME selectivity and CO conversion. Inadequate monitoring of these values may not only prevent the synthesis from proceeding but may also lead to major risks to health and safety. For this reason, proactive measures must be implemented to eliminate or minimize the risks. The significance of such measures cannot be overstated, as they serve to safeguard not only the integrity of the synthesis process but also the surrounding environment and human health. To delve deeper into the hazard evaluation, a comprehensive Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) analysis has been carried out, focusing specifically on the reactor within the DME process. This methodical examination involves a systematic review of potential deviations, identifying the associated hazards, and proposing effective preventive measures. The HAZOP analysis serves as a pivotal tool in ensuring the overall safety and reliability of the DME process.