Modular Chemical Process Intensification (MCPI): A Perspective from the RAPID Manufacturing Institute

In December 2016, the Department of Energy announced the establishment of the 10th Manufacturing USA Institute, representing a critical step in the federal government’s effort to double U.S. energy productivity by 2030. The Rapid Advancement in Process Intensification Deployment (RAPID) Institute (https://www.aiche.org/rapid) is focused on addressing barriers to enable the development of breakthrough technologies to boost energy productivity and energy efficiency through manufacturing processes in industries such oil and gas, pulp and paper and various domestic chemical manufacturers. RAPID will leverage approaches to modular chemical process intensification (MCPI) — such as combining multiple process steps as mixing, reaction, and separation into single more complex and intensified processes — with the goal of improving productivity and efficiency, cutting operating costs, and reducing waste.

This poster will present the approach used by the RAPID Manufacturing Institute to advance MCPI in the selected Focus Areas of Chemical and Commodity Processing, Renewable Bio Products, Natural Gas Upgrading, Modeling and Simulation, Intensified Process Fundamentals, and Module Manufacturing. Achievements to date such as the compile roadmap and plans for 2018 and beyond will be the cornerstones of the presented material.