Process layout evaluation in the production of ethanol fuel

Abstract

Due to depletion of petroleum reserves and environmental impact of fossil fuels, an alternative solution is introduced in form of ethanol fuels. Ethanol fuels have promising potential in the transport sector and in the generation of electricity. In addition, very few researches highlighted the production electricity cost of ethanol fuel for the transportation sector. Therefore, this study will focuses on finding the effective process layout in the production of ethanol fuel. The first main objective of this research is to simulate the layout of ethanol fuel plant using DELMIA QUEST software. The second objective is to determine the most efficient process layout in the production of ethanol fuel. The layout of ethanol fuel plant was simulated and the most efficient layout in terms of ethanol production was suggested from the simulation. At the end of this research, the efficient process layout is highlighted between the dry mill and wet mill process layout. It was found that dry mill layout offers lower electricity cost for ethanol production.