Catalysis and Chemical Engineering Global Conference

Process intensification of chemical processes within chemical engineering is the concept of making chemical processes more efficient, sustainable, and compact. By reconsidering conventional methods and using creative technologies, process intensification achieves fundamental improvements in product yield, energy efficiency, and waste reduction. This session explores the impact of intensified process intervention upon catalytic activity, energy generation, and environmental protection. Process intensification is essentially the redesign of equipment and processes to produce the same, or a better result, with improved efficiency. For example, several intensified processes could employ compact reactors with superior mixing capabilities to produce similar, or better results, than the employment of large reactors operating at high temperatures and pressures. It not only saves energy but also dilutes the environmental footprint left on chemical manufacturing. Process intensification can be achieved by the use of multifunctional reactors, which combine several steps of a chemical process in one unit. Such a reactor requires fewer separate units of equipment, makes the reaction process simpler and, for the most part, improves the performance of the catalysts used. Multifunctional reactors can be used in energy-related processes: for example, in gas-to-liquid conversions, in which natural gas can more effectively be converted to liquid fuels with lower emissions. Another interesting example is microreactors, which are extremely small reactors very efficient and able to offer perfect control over reaction conditions, hence cutting down the reaction times almost to safety. Microreactors are highly helpful in drug and specialty chemical industries to achieve such precision and safety. Miniaturization of the reaction environment accelerates prototyping and process optimization while ensuring safe manipulation of reactive materials. Process intensification also promotes green chemistry and waste reduction, thus using resources more effectively. In that regard, for example, process intensification results can include enhanced heat integration with concurrent recovery of valuable by-products, thus minimizing environmental pollutants. This will make chemical engineering leaner and greener with maximum resource efficiency but minimal environmental impacts. From advanced reactor design and heat integration to application in real time, this session will be dedicated to discussing some of the recent advances in process intensification. Experts will throw light on the latest technologies that facilitate process intensification-from computational modeling tools to reactor configurations of a particular kind. Through this session, attendees will get an idea about process intensification, which is driving sustainability innovation at the chemical engineering and catalysis front.Process intensification in chemical engineering focuses on making chemical processes more efficient, sustainable, and compact. By rethinking conventional methods and employing creative technologies, process intensification achieves fundamental improvements in product yield, energy efficiency, and waste reduction. This session explores the impact of intensified process interventions on catalytic activity, energy generation, and environmental protection.

Process intensification essentially involves redesigning equipment and processes to produce the same or even better results with enhanced efficiency. For example, some intensified processes use compact reactors with superior mixing capabilities, achieving similar or improved results compared to large reactors operating at high temperatures and pressures. This approach not only saves energy but also reduces the environmental footprint of chemical manufacturing.

Multifunctional reactors are one method of achieving process intensification by combining several steps of a chemical process within a single unit. Such reactors require fewer equipment units, simplify reaction processes, and generally enhance catalyst performance. In energy-related processes, multifunctional reactors can be used for gas-to-liquid conversions, allowing natural gas to be more effectively converted to liquid fuels with lower emissions.

Microreactors are another example of intensified processes, offering extreme efficiency and precise control over reaction conditions. These miniature reactors drastically reduce reaction times while ensuring safe handling of reactive materials, making them valuable in industries such as pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals. Miniaturization accelerates prototyping and process optimization, enabling safe and precise manipulation of materials.

Process intensification also aligns with green chemistry and waste reduction principles, promoting more effective resource use. For instance, intensified processes may incorporate enhanced heat integration with simultaneous recovery of valuable by-products, thereby reducing environmental pollutants. This shift aims to make chemical engineering leaner and greener, maximizing resource efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts.