Process Intensification Workshop (Invited Talks)

Process intensification is a key trend in the chemical manufacturing industry and a rapidly expanding area of research. This year’s AIChE meeting brings together 5 sessions devoted to process intensification combing the forefront of global academic research with key industry stakeholders. These sessions will bring numerous in-depth reports of the state-of-the-art and novel concepts for heat and mass transfer integration as well as unique implementation strategies. In this plenary workshop, an invited panel representing industry, academia and government will open a dialog for discussion with the general audience on the research needs and risk mitigation strategies that can help accelerate the adoption of process intensification innovations. The aim of the workshop is to consider a broader perspective of process intensification and examine the systemic issues that prevent successful implementation. For example, heat integration strategies find far greater adoption in industry than do multifunctional reactors and hybrid separations. When considering value and industrial adoption, the distinction must be made between incremental and disruptive technology. With the need to mitigate risk and maintain reliability, industry may rationally ignore disruptive innovations. This workshop will capitalize on the depth of knowledge exchange in the proceeding Process Intensification sessions and discuss the technical risks and uncertainties from an industrial perspective that may rule out the promise of exemplary performance.