Chemical Engineering Student Receives Best Presentation Award at PCVS 2024 for Research on Acetone Production
The Research and Postgraduate Centre congratulates Arvin Ayazi, a PhD student from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, on receiving the Best Presentation Award at the Process Control Virtual Symposium 2024 (PCVS 2024), which was held on 4-5 September 2024. The symposium was organized by the Malaysia Process Control Society (MyPCS).
Arvin’s presentation, titled “Innovative Acetone Production via 2-Propanol Hydrogenation: Process Simulation and Optimization”, explores a method for acetone production through the hydrogenation of 2-propanol feedstock. The research utilizes Aspen HYSYS and Aspen Plus software to achieve an acetone purity level of 98-99%, while reducing energy consumption by 32% compared to conventional methods, such as the Wacker-Hoechst and Hock processes, which rely on the conversion of cumene and phenol.
Supervised by Dr. Ban Zhen Hong and Dr. Noraini Binti Mohd, the research also focuses on reclaiming water and unused reaction feed, reducing waste, and improving process efficiency. This approach addresses sustainability concerns while eliminating the explosion risks associated with high-pressure, high-temperature systems, thereby enhancing safety in industrial acetone production.
Arvin extends his heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Ban and Dr. Noraini for their continuous support and guidance throughout this project. Their invaluable feedback and encouragement played a pivotal role in the success of this research and its recognition at PCVS 2024.
The research has potential applications in industries that depend on acetone, including pharmaceuticals and chemical manufacturing, by providing a more energy-efficient and safer production method. By reducing operational costs and environmental impact, this work contributes to ongoing global efforts toward sustainable industrial processes.
