Modeling and Simulation of Manufacturing Process of Paracetamol

Abstract

Paracetamol also known as acetaminophen is a chemical compound derived from its chemical name N-acetyl-para-aminophenol. It is one of the most commonly used analgesics and antipyretic drugs around the world [1], as an analgesic and an antipyretic most commonly used for headaches and mild fever [2]. Paracetamol is very common and almost every individual on this planet has consumed paracetamol at least once in his/her life. So, with that extensive usage, a highly efficient production process is necessary at a large scale. Process optimization plays an important role in enhancing the efficiency of the production process. Through process optimization, the conversion can be increased, the wastage can be minimized and the product purity can be enhanced. This results in the reduction of production costs either making it profitable or affordable. Process simulation tools come very handy in designing and optimizing the processes.

In this work, the production process was modeled and simulated using open-source software, DWSIM, and the process flow diagram is shown in figure 1. The suitability of different reactors was evaluated, the separation train was optimized by varying many parameters and a sensitivity analysis was carried out. The performance of every piece of equipment involved in the process were finetuned thereby optimizing the entire process.