Constructive nonlinear dynamics applied to design of glycerol etherification process

A nonlinear approach to design of process systems is presented and applied to glycerol ethers plant. Based on a simplified mass balance, degree of freedom analysis is used to suggest the plantwide control structure. Depending on the operational parameter, the system shows either two or no steady states. The critical manifold separating the two domains should not be crossed when the system is disturbed or the design parameters are uncertain. Nonlinear analysis and constructive (synthesis-oriented) methods, ensuring the robustness of the design, are presented. The dynamic performance is assessed using rigorous process simulation in Aspen Dynamics.