Design and control of a process to produce furan from furfural

The design and control of a process for the production of furan by the catalytic decarbonylation of furfural is studied. Starting with a conceptual flowsheet presented in the literature [8] modifications to the flowsheet are proposed and optimal values of design variables minimizing the total annual cost of the process are determined. After an optimal process design is determined the control of the process is also studied. Two control structures are considered: one in which production rate changes are accommodated by changing the catalyst concentration, and one in which production rate changes are accommodated by changing the reactor temperature. Both control structures work well for both production rate changes of ¡Ó20% and changes in the concentration of water impurity in the feed. ? 2016 Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers