DESIGN PROBLEM Introduction Aniline (amino-benzene) is a carcinogenic chemical common in industry and industrial wastewater.

Due to aniline's high boiling point (183 degrees C) , more traditional methods of separation such as distillation are very energy intensive. This design problem pose a challenge to investigate an option to reduce energy consumption in separation of aniline. Teams are required to make use of the modern separation techniques to come up with a process for the specified task. Also the technology must be well-proven and investment cost of new technology must not exceed that of already existing technology. The goal is to design a process using not more than 65% of the current energy consumption* while maintaining the same investment cost. The technology should be chemically compatible and proven at this scale. An economic analysis of the set up must also be demonstrated. *current energy consumption corresponds to conventional distillation process Problem Statement: It is required to separate a 3 component system. The product is Aniline with a specification of < 5ppm Nitrobenzene and <0.1ppm tar. Feed stream conditions are: Pressure: Ambient Temperature: 95degC Quantity : 45,000 kg/h Aniline: 99.6wt% Nitrobenzene: 1000ppm Tar**: 3000ppm ** Tar can be modelled as P-aminodiphenylamine. Utilities Available: Currently two grades of steam is available: 1. High Pressure Steam: 20 bar (gauge) @ Rs1800/ton 2. Low Pressure Steam: 2.5 bar (gauge) @ Rs 1200/ton.

Electricity The cost of electricity is Rs 6 / kWh. Other: 1. Please note that above utilities are currently available to the project. If you need anything else, please include by taking reasonable estimate of the cost. The economic analysis should properly take care of it.

Hints & Other Useful Information: 1. Teams are required to note that this problem is quite conceptual and subjective. So, appropriate assumption may be taken, but it must be reasonable and should be clearly described in the report. Any assumption without strong reason will be considered invalid. 2. In a way, this problem requires the teams to prove a concept and do the process and economic analysis of it under the constraint that energy used in it should not exceed 65% of that used in conventional distillation. Investment cost is covered in economic analysis. 3. Teams are to prove & provide their method along with cost analysis and need not show comparison with the existing technology. 4. Please note that energy consumption in conventional distillation can be readily calculated by estimating the electricity required for the production of required quantity of the steam for carrying out the separation. Submission details: Teams are required to submit their solutions in the form of a report not exceeding 10 pages. The report should include: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Short, non-technical summary Technical summary Process Flow Diagram (PFD), description and mass balance Preliminary equipment sizing Operating cost analysis Conclusion describing why the method used is best.

Additionally, all the references should be appropriately cited. For any query contact: Vineet Kumar : 84739-95103