Design and analysis of an intensified column with side reactor configuration for ethylene glycol production from ethylene oxide

The side reactor concept (SRC), comprising a non-reactive column coupled with side reactors, is proposed for the synthesis of ethylene glycol (EG) by ethylene oxide (EO) hydration. Parallel isothermal continuous stirred tank reactors are employed and the combinations of the reactors and the column are cautiously examined. A preliminary analysis of the operating conditions for the reaction and separation and the detailed SRC configurations (such as the side stream rate, side stream location) are performed to generate the suggested values or ranges for their further optimization. The decisive variables are subsequently optimized by a sequential design procedure. The significant effects of the key decision variables on the trade-off between the reaction cost and the separation cost are well investigated. The reactor–separation unit, configured with a total liquid withdrawn and recycled back to the column stage below, demonstrates better system performance. Furthermore, the reaction at elevated temperature (150 °C) conductive for reaction and the separation occurring at the distillation temperature range of 106∼204 °C (124 kPa) gives out improved economic performance. Flexibility in the operating conditions in SRC makes it a competitive alternative to the RD process for EG production.