Abstract
Biofuels are present in the global scenario as an energy source derived from organic biomass, representing an economic and environmental alternative. They are a renewable source of energy with low rates of pollutants emissions and, consequently, less carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. The obtaining of bioethanol is originated from a fermentation process, in which a multi-component mix is generated and the anhydrous bioethanol is separated. To obtain such compounds, some operations are required, such as extractive distillation, where solvents are added in order to “break” the ethanol-water azeotrope. In the present work two solvents were used: Glycerol and the ionic liquid [BMIM][BF4]. Starting from a multi-component mixture composed by ethanol, water, acetic acid and isoamyl alcohol, the bioethanol purification process was simulated using the computational tool Aspen Plus® simulator. Through a comparative analysis, it was possible to determine which solvent presented the best performance, where operational parameters such as the reflux ratio, distillate rate and the solvent flow were analyzed. The purity degree of 99.7% in mass and an approximate production of 2764 kg/h of anhydrous bioethanol were fixed and the results showed that glycerol was the solvent that presented greater economic and environmental viability for the process, considering the operational parameters mentioned above.
Highlights
The world scene requires the use of new sources of energy that meet economy and, specially, environmental requirements in a sustainable way
Thereby, the anhydrous bioethanol is recovered according to the purity degree needed and with suitable productivity, using as solvent glycerol and ionic liquid 1-butyl-3methylimidazolium tetra fluoroborate [BMIM][BF4]
The results obtained show the best system adjustment for each solvent used, such as the behavior of these systems when the parameters of the adjusted variables - Distillate Rate, Reflux Ratio and Solvent Flowrate - were changed, which allowed the determination of optimal points of work in each situation
Summary
The world scene requires the use of new sources of energy that meet economy and, specially, environmental requirements in a sustainable way. Thereby, the anhydrous bioethanol is recovered according to the purity degree needed and with suitable productivity, using as solvent glycerol and ionic liquid 1-butyl-3methylimidazolium tetra fluoroborate [BMIM][BF4].
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have