Abstract
Batch distillation applied to hydrous ethanol fuel (HEF) production on a small scale still requires operating conditions that ensure optimal top product quality and productivity. The aim of this study is to statistically validate a batch still through the employment of response surface methodology (RSM). Operational and productivity parameters were formulated in order to guarantee quality compliance with the legal requirements for the top product concentration, besides providing support information to control the production of HEF on a small scale. The reboiler control and dephlegmator temperatures maintained within the range of 97.5 to 99.5°C and 60 to 70°C, respectively, combined with a variable reflux ratio, was satisfactory in obtaining a top product concentration, in accordance with legal regulations, as well as high productivity. The results of this study may contribute to the assembly of a simple and low-cost batch distillation control system.
Highlights
Batch distillation applied to hydrous ethanol fuel (HEF) production on a small scale still requires operating conditions that ensure optimal top product quality and productivity
The quality of HEF produced is of great importance in its commercialization to third-party consumers since its standards are regulated by federal legislation
In Brazil, such regulation is performed by the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), which states that the ethanol concentration of HEF should be between 92.5 and 93.8 wt% (95.1 to 96.0% v/v), as established by ANP resolution No 07 (ANP, 2014)
Summary
Batch distillation applied to hydrous ethanol fuel (HEF) production on a small scale still requires operating conditions that ensure optimal top product quality and productivity. Batch distillation is an affordable technology employed in smallscale production because it has operational flexibility, handling different flows and concentrations of feed (Kister, 1992; Flodman & Timm, 2012), which is a key feature of small-scale production This operating system has some problems inherent to its dynamic nature, making it difficult to control and optimize (Flodman & Timm, 2012). It has been difficult to obtain HEF from batch distillation in accordance with the quality standards required, especially regarding the ethanol concentration of top product. It is possible to obtain a high recovery of the light product (ethanol) at the end of the process, but with a smaller average concentration. Alvarez et al (2012) and Coelhoet al. (2012) present results that show an exponential decrease in ethanol concentration in the top product during batch distillation with a constant reflux ratio. Coelho et al (2012) report that as the reflux ratio increases, the final concentration of the top product increases, as does the time required for the distillation due to the low hourly output. Zavala & Coronado (2008) used a constant reflux ratio aiming to maximize thermodynamic efficiency of batch distillation for a given top product concentration
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