Techno-economic evaluation of the 2,3-butanediol dehydration process using a hydroxyapatite-alumina catalyst

Abstract

We designed a conceptual model of the 2.3-BDO dehydration process using a hydroxyapatite-alumina catalyst and estimated its economic feasibility to predict the appropriate range of the purchase price of 2,3-BDO on commercial scale. The conceptual design and economic analysis can offer valuable information for the industrial application of 2,3-BDO because the most relevant studies have limitation in laboratory scale. Furthermore, the adequate range of 2,3-BDO price, in which the process has profitability, was investigated with the current market prices of 1,3-BD. The investigated price in terms of 2,3-BDO dehydration can pertain to estimation of the economic feasibility in 2,3-BDO production process. © 2018, Korean Institute of Chemical Engineers, Seoul, Korea.