講者：Dr. David Lokhat (University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)
演講題目：Process intensification in the South African petrochemical and chemical sectors: opportunities for research and collaboration
演講時間：12/19（一）11:00~11:50
演講地點：化工系 工223
主持人：康敦彥 助理教授
Dr. David Lokhat個人簡介：
Dr. David Lokhat is the head of the Reactor Technology Research Group of the School of Engineering at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa. He also serves as the regional chairperson of the South African Institute of Chemical Engineers. His research interests are in catalysis and reactor engineering, specifically micro-scale engineering, thermal processing of biomass, surface treatment of polymers and applications in fluorochemistry. He obtained his MSc cum laude from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2009 for his study of the kinetics of tungsten-based catalysts for the metathesis of 1-hexene. In 2012 he obtained a PhD in chemical engineering for his work on the gas-phase epoxidation of hexafluoropropene. In 2013 he received, in conjunction with fellow researchers, the South African Institute of Chemical Engineers Innovation Award for the development of a novel continuous process to produce hexafluoropropene oxide.
摘要：
The term process intensification refers to technologies that replace large expensive energy intensive equipment or processes with ones that are smaller, less costly and more efficient. It deals with process miniaturization, reduction in capital cost, enhanced safety and energy efficiency and often improved product quality. It also encompasses improvement in process chemistry, process steps, multifunctional reactors, membrane reactors and use of more intensified methods of processing such as the use of ultrasound, microwaves and magnetic fields. The South African chemical and petrochemical industries provide a rich context for research in process intensification. South Africa manufactures 300 types of basic and pure chemicals. The chemicals sector is the largest of its kind in Africa and is highly complex and diversified. Speciality and fine chemicals account for 6% of the portfolio. A large number of these chemicals are produced using batch process technologies. Due to inherent advantages of higher productivity, reduced energy consumption, better safety and reduced manpower requirements, there has been a gradual shift towards the use of continuous processes. Microreactor technology has, for example, provided a well-established basis for rapidly studying the continuous synthesis of various speciality and fine chemical products. There are several technologies that improve overall rates of transformation or transport of species in chemical reactors. Ultrasound, microwave radiation and centrifugal force have all been exploited for this purpose. The design of large-scale units incorporating these technologies has been a focal point for research in the petrochemical sector in recent years. Predicting the behaviour of multiphase flows in advanced, intensified reactors is both challenging and critical. By combining experimental and simulation work for multiphase flows in newly proposed reactor designs, reliable predictive tools can be developed that will allow for rapid screening and testing. The continuous feedback between experiment and modelling will help maximize the accuracy of the predictions. In this talk, recent industrial and academic projects incorporating intensified technologies will be described and opportunities for research and collaboration will be highlighted.