Comparison of Different Synthesis Schemes for Production of Sodium Methoxide from Methanol and Sodium Hydroxide

Authors

  • Natthiyar Aeamsuksai Chulalongkorn University
  • Thirawat Mueansichai Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi
  • Pongtorn Charoensuppanimit Chulalongkorn University
  • Pattaraporn Kim-Lohsoontorn Chulalongkorn University
  • Farid Aiouache Lancaster University
  • Suttichai Assabumrungrat Chulalongkorn University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4186/ej.2020.24.6.63

Keywords:

Sodium methoxide, methanol, sodium hydroxide, reactive distillation, pervaporation, process simulation

Abstract

This research investigates the process simulation of sodium methoxide (NaOCH3) synthesis from methanol (CH3OH) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) under three synthesis schemes: schemes A, B, and C. Scheme A consisted of one equilibrium reactor and two distillation columns, scheme B one reactive distillation column and one distillation column, and scheme C one reactive distillation column and pervaporation membrane. The simulation parameters included CH3OH/NaOH feed flow ratio (1.2-1.6), number of stages (5-30), bottom flow rate (1400-1600 kg/h), and feed stage location (5, 10, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24). The simulation parameters were varied to determine the optimal NaOCH3 synthetic conditions under different schemes with 0.01 wt% water content, maximum 45 wt% NaOCH3, and the lowest total energy consumption. The results showed that scheme C had the lowest total energy consumption (34.25 GJ/h) under the optimal synthetic condition of 1.4 for CH3OH/NaOH feed flow ratio, 25 for the number of stages, 1550 kg/h for the bottom flow rate, and the 24th feed stage location, with the NaOCH3 flow rate of 675 kg/h. Scheme C thus holds promising potential as an energy-efficient alternative for synthesis of NaOCH3. The novelty of this research lies in the use of pervaporation membrane in place of distillation column to separate CH3OH from water and to lower energy consumption and capital cost.

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Author Biographies

Natthiyar Aeamsuksai

Center of Excellence in Catalysis and Catalytic Reaction Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Thirawat Mueansichai

Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Pathumtani 12110, Thailand

Pongtorn Charoensuppanimit

Control and Systems Engineering Research Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand


Bio-Circular-Green-economy Technology & Engineering Center, BCGeTEC, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Pattaraporn Kim-Lohsoontorn

Center of Excellence in Catalysis and Catalytic Reaction Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Bio-Circular-Green-economy Technology & Engineering Center, BCGeTEC, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Farid Aiouache

Department of Engineering, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YW, United Kingdom

Suttichai Assabumrungrat

Center of Excellence in Catalysis and Catalytic Reaction Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Bio-Circular-Green-economy Technology & Engineering Center, BCGeTEC, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

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Published In
Vol 24 No 6, Nov 30, 2020
How to Cite
[1]
N. Aeamsuksai, T. Mueansichai, P. Charoensuppanimit, P. Kim-Lohsoontorn, F. Aiouache, and S. Assabumrungrat, “Comparison of Different Synthesis Schemes for Production of Sodium Methoxide from Methanol and Sodium Hydroxide”, Eng. J., vol. 24, no. 6, pp. 63-77, Nov. 2020.

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