Model-Based Identification and Experimental Validation of the Optimal Reaction Route for the Hydroformylation of 1-Dodecene

Previously developed kinetic and dynamic models of the hydroformylation of 1-dodecene in a thermomorphic multicomponent solvent system (TMS), consisting of DMF, n-decane, and hydroformylation products, were experimentally validated applying various operation modes, such as batch, semibatch, and perturbed batch operation. On the basis of experimentally obtained data, which cover a broad range of physical conditions, the parameters of the reaction kinetics were refined to give reliable model predictions as basis for rigorous process optimization. The improved model was used for dynamic optimization to obtain optimal trajectories (e.g., temperature and gas dosing fluxes versus reaction time), which maximize the selectivity to the desired linear aldehyde product. The predicted optimal trajectories were successfully validated in semibatch reactor experiments.