Chemical Process Simplification

While emphasizing conservation and sustainable strategies, this book provides steps to improve the manufacturing technologies used in creating products. By simplifying the chemistry, process development, manufacturing practices and processes, the book provides a structured approach to producing quality products with little waste, making the process not only efficient but environmentally friendly. Illustrated with case studies, this is an essential resource for chemical engineers, chemists, plant engineers, and operating personnel in any chemical related businesses. Preface xiii

1 Process Simplification: Basic Guidelines 1

2 Process Solutions 9

3 Commonalities of Businesses 53

4 Laboratory Process Development 77

5 Mass and Heat Balance 95

6 Reaction Kinetics 111

7 Physical Properties 123

8 Combination of Heat, Mass Balance, and Physical Properties 135

9 Cross-Fertilization of Technologies 159

10 Scale-up to Commercialization 171

Appendix A: Ideas and Observations from the Author 189

Appendix B: Related Articles by the Author 231

Index 279

Girish Malhotra is currently the President of EPCOT International, a privately held consulting firm that improves manufacturing efficiencies in a wide range of businesses, from fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals toresins and coatings. His methods have increased efficiency and reduced costs at numerous companies. He has published many articles in a wide range of publications including Chemical Processing, Pharmaceutical Processing, and Chemical Engineering Progress, and has been extensively quoted in Chemical Week. The indispensible handbook on the benefits of using chemical simplification processes to produce higher-quality products

This book details methods to enhance manufacturing efficiencies to increase productivity, cut costs, and remain environmentally conscientious. It incorporates unique strategies to illustrate how simplifying chemical processes in the development of new products can spur technological innovation and help small- to large-scale industrial plants discover novel ways for improving the overall quality of what they make. Filled with sound, environmentally friendly advice on techniques for reducing waste, batch-process cycle time, raw material expenses and developing innovative batch and continuous processes, Chemical Process Simplification:

• Provides a structured approach of process development to improve yield and shorten product development and commercialization time

• Supplies concepts that simplify chemical processing, especially if there are multiple steps involved

• Shows how to improve manufacturing processes and remain "green"

• Includes case studies to reinforce learning material

Reviewing processes removed from the perspective of "what is" to offer a refreshing new outlook on "what is possible," Chemical Process Simplification tackles a diversity of subjects such as economics, safety, and ecology to deliver valuable tools directed toward breaking the barriers of outdated manufacturing traditions. Chemical-related business professionals will find in this book the lessons they need for inspiring ingenuity, setting standards in sustainability, and meeting the demands and expectations of consumers for generations to come.