2025 AIChE Annual Meeting

(390as) Optimal Design of the Electronic-Grade Propylene Glycol Ethers Production Via Thermal-Electrochemical-Membrane Processes

Authors

Peng CUI - Presenter, Tsinghua University
Zhenkun Yang, Tsinghua University
Zhihong Yuan, Tsinghua University
Propylene glycol ethers (PGEs) are important industrial solvents with applications in coatings, cleaning agents, pharmaceutical processing, and high-performance semiconductors [1]. Traditional production methods of these compounds involve numerous side reactions and rely heavily on energy-intensive thermal processes. With the development of information technology and increasing environmental awareness, flexible and responsive intelligent environmental protection production mode is increasingly being considered in chemical process design.

In this work, we propose an innovative, integrated PGEs production method that combines thermal, electrochemical, and membrane separation technologies. Through Techno-economic analyses (TEA) and Life Cycle Assessment analyses (LCA), we demonstrate substantial improvements in process efficiency, environmental impact reduction, and economic viability compared to traditional manufacturing routes. We coupled these with renewable energy technology to determine the optimal production solution for different market demands. The key innovation lies in the coupling of data-driven, new membrane electrical process design, economic environment analysis, renewable energy utilization, and superstructure network optimization under uncertainty to develop enhanced production pathways for propylene glycol ethers.

Our contribution in this work is three-fold. First, we simulated a comprehensive superstructure network based on thermochemical processes and experimental parameters for 16 kinds of PGEs. This approach enabled step-by-step determination of optimal production parameters for the integrated thermal process, with environmental and economic impacts assessed through rigorous TEA and LCA methodologies. Second, we enhanced the thermal process by incorporating advanced electrochemical and membrane separation technologies to establish an improved superstructure network. Novel module mathematical models were developed. Comparative TEA and LCA between the proposed process and conventional thermochemical methods revealed significant performance improvements. Finally, we integrated renewable wind and solar energy into the superstructure network based on energy analysis data. We determined optimal production strategies under uncertain demand conditions and conducted sensitivity analyses on key optimization parameters to validate model robustness. This holistic approach provides valuable production planning insights for the entire PGEs industry, offering a pathway toward more sustainable and economically viable manufacturing processes.