Optimization of Parameters Using Taguchi Orthogonal Array Design for an Intensified Per-Pass Conversion of Alphabutol® Technology in Butene-1 Production

Abstract

Taguchi orthogonal design was used in this study to investigate the effects of three operational parameters (i.e., reactor temperature, reactor pressure, and catalyst ratio on per-pass conversion (PPC)). The optimal PPC was calculated from the predicted response function at 48°C of reactor temperature, 21 kg/cm2g of reactor pressure, and catalyst mole ratio of 2.50. Under these conditions, the PPC was estimated to be 87.1 per cent, with a maximum SNR of 38.95. In line with the delta ranking, the decreasing order of significance of each process parameter on the average per-pass conversion (PPC) was x1 > x2 > x3, with percentage contributions of 50.6%, 26.1%, and 23.3% for reactor temperature, temperature, and catalyst mole ratio, respectively. The optimal production condition can therefore be attained at a larger scale with the higher per-pass conversion of butene-1.