A process concept was proposed that included a reactive distillation step. MATRIC created an Aspen model of the process and developed a design for a pilot scale installation to evaluate the process experimentally. After construction and commissioning, the reactive distillation was run under a range of conditions to compare the results with those predicted by [...]

A customer had observed that a solvent being used in a reaction of interest gave varying results, depending on the purification method. MATRIC carried out a study of the impurities present in the commercial material and the effects of a number of treatments on the product purity. Samples were then provided for testing in the [...]

MATRIC was approached by a customer who wanted to design and test a novel process concept for a thermal reaction that required pumping a viscous fluid at quite high temperatures under pressure. MATRIC reviewed the requirements for the specialized pump, identified a suitable design, and worked with a vendor to have the unit delivered. Meanwhile, [...]

MATRIC undertook a project to test the performance of novel catalysts for an alkylation process at pilot scale. A fixed bed catalytic reaction system was designed and constructed, with full automation and safeguards for operating with highly hazardous materials. The unit was safely started up and operated to prove the performance of the catalysts. Multiple [...]

An equilibrium-limited reaction was identified as a candidate for reactive distillation, which would potentially offer substantially reduced investment and operating costs. The separations were modeled with Aspen Plus, which helped identify several process options for reactive distillation. However, kinetic information on the rates of the catalyzed reactions involved were not known. Laboratory experiments were design [...]

The patent literature described a catalyst for a carbonylation reaction of potential interest to a customer. MATRIC set up a stirred pressure reactor capable of carrying out the reaction under CO pressure. The unit was designed for semi-continuous operation, which allowed product to be removed and catalyst to be added during operation. An experimental program [...]

A chemical producer had a commercial-scale distillation column that either needed to be upgraded or replaced with an improved design. MATRIC set up several software simulations that modeled the performance of alternative designs and sizes. With that information, potential vendors were contacted and potential upgrading or replacement costs were developed. These studies enabled the customer [...]

A major industrial company was investigating a new process for production of a commodity chemical and had concerns about whether the product of the new process would meet the current industry quality specifications. Final purification of the product was done by distillation, so MATRIC assembled a distillation system capable of simulating the separation being done [...]

A major chemical producer was looking for assistance with a crystallization process that was being carried out in a batch process. The objective was to redesign the process and increase its capacity by use of a continuous process. Simultaneously, the purity of the product needed to be improved to meet market demand. A possible process [...]