Fundamentals of process intensification: A process systems engineering view

This chapter gives an overview of the fundamentals of process intensification from a process systems engineering point of view. The concept of process intensification, including process integration, is explained together with the drivers for applying process intensification, which can be achieved at different scales of size, that is, the unit operation scale, the task scale, and the phenomena scale. The roles of process intensification with respect to process improvements and the generation of more sustainable process designs are discussed and questions related to when to apply process intensification and how to apply process intensification are answered through illustrative examples. The main issues and needs for generation of more sustainable process alternatives through process intensification are discussed in terms of the need for a systematic computer-aided framework and the methods and tools that should be employed through it. The process for the production of methyl-acetate is used as an example to highlight the generation of more sustainable process alternatives through this framework. Perspectives, conclusions, and future work are proposed in order to further develop the field of process intensification using a systems approach.