Optimization of trans-stilbene epoxidation over Co2+-NaX catalyst.

• Main Author: Lau, Ying Bin.
• Other Authors: Yang Yanhui
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Chemical engineering::Chemical processes
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/16623
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Response surface methodology (RSM) relies on the design of experiments (DoE) and empirical modelling techniques to find the optimum of a process when the underlying fundamental mechanism of the process is largely unknown. In this study, an iterative RSM framework was proposed to model and optimize for the catalytic epoxidation of trans-stilbene over cobalt (II)-exchanged zeolite X. Gaussian process (GP) regression models, a flexible non-parametric method, were selected as the empirical model for RSM to approximate the relationship between process factors (temperature, partial pressure of oxygen, trans-stilbene concentration, stirring rate, reaction time) and response (conversion of trans-stilbene) because they can provide a high accuracy of approximation and so achieving greater chance of identifying the optimum. To the selection of design points for the evaluation of response point, Latin hypercube sampling was adopted. Finally, optimization was performed to find the best response value based on the empirical model. In addition, the effects of temperature and other process factors on the response variable were also illustrated by the response surface plots. The developed GP model was successfully applied to the optimization of trans-stilbene conversion. Keywords: Design of Experiments; Gaussian Process; Heterogeneous Catalysis; Latin hypercube sampling; Optimization; Response surface methodology