Introduction

The developed process flow sheet and narrative was used to develop preliminary analysis
of the unit operation systems in the production of tetraphenylethylene (TPE). The three reaction
vessels have been sized per literature reaction times ensuring an adequate size and conversion.
Various separation systems of the reactive intermediate dichlorodiphenylmethane (DPCM) and
byproduct phosphorous oxychloride (POCl5) were analyzed to achieve cost effective and
efficient separation of the components. Additional work was conducted on the magnetic
separation, liquid solid separator, and heat exchangers to obtain preliminary balances of these
unit operations. Future work will refine the primary unit operation design and finish design of the
remaining unit operations including finalizing material selection and costing of all components.
For all operations mass balances were conducted using an analysis of the inlet and outlet
flow rates of the system. The mass balances of the individual units are found in the stream table
above. Energy balances on process streams were determined through ChemCad analysis.
ChemCad determines enthalpy of a stream based on the heat of formation of a gas at 298.15K
and the heat capacity of the components. Equations 1 below show the equation ChemCad utilizes
to conduct enthalpy calculations of streams.
298.15
298.15 +298.15 ( )
= + 298.15( ) + ( ) () (1)

Mass and energy balances for each of the processes in TPE production are outlined with the
relevant equipment