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Prediction of mixtures in computer-aided molecular and process design

Applicant Dr. Philipp Rehner
Subject Area Technical Thermodynamics
Term from 2021 to 2024
Project identifier Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 497566159
 
Final Report Year 2024

Final Report Abstract

Computer-aided molecular and process design (CAMPD) aims to find the optimal processing materials together with the optimal process configuration. Examples for processing materials that significantly influence the performance of the process but do not appear in feed or product streams are the working fluids in heat pumps, refrigerants, and solvents in processes like gas absorption. To be able to optimize the molecules in such processes, predictive models for thermodynamic properties are required that are applicable to the entire molecular design space. In this project, two modelling approaches, homosegmented and heterosegmented group contribution methods, are investigated and enhanced with their applicability to for CAMPD of mixtures. For homosegmented group contribution methods, the challenge addressed is the prediction of binary interaction parameters needed to accurately predict the thermodynamic behavior of mixtures. Heterosegmented group contribution methods promise a better description of mixtures as the heterogeneity of molecules is resolved on a finer level. The challenge here is the representation of the discrete molecular structure in an optimization problem. Both modelling approaches are implemented in a CAMPD framework that can solve the integrated design problem for arbitrary process models. As demonstration, the framework is used to find optimal mixed working fluids for an organic Rankine cycle. Overall, this project contributes to improving the thermodynamic foundations of integrated molecular and process optimizations for fluid mixtures with the aspiration to help identify more efficient and thus more sustainable process solutions.

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