Simulation separation of triglycerides from Calophyllum inophyllum oil with continuous countercurrent extraction process using Aspen HYSYS

Abstract

The trends of industry 4.0 transform a process design to a cost-effective development with digital simulation. The objective of this study was to simulate the separation and purification of triglycerides from crude Calophyllum inophyllum oil with a continuous countercurrent extraction method using Aspen HYSYS V.11 to find the appropriate binary parameter coefficients and predict the optimal conditions. It is expected that the oil’s purity suitable with the edible oil standards (minimum 96% triglycerides and 0.3% free fatty acids). The variables used are the flow rate (n-hexane + oil) to methanol and the total mass ratio of solvent to oil. The C. inophyllum oil used contains 63.91% triglycerides, 15.76% free fatty acids, 12.25% diglycerides, and 4.66% monoglycerides. It was evaluated by applying NRTL (Non-Random Two Liquid) and UNIQUAC (Universal Quasi Chemical) fluid packages with binary interaction parameters of UNIFAC-VLE, UNIFAC-LLE, Immiscible, and Modified (fitting parameters). The most suitable fluid package and binary interaction parameter pairing was achieved by combining NRTL fluid package with Modified binary interaction. The highest purity of triglycerides was 92.86%alongside a simulation error of 0.01% while the free fatty acid was 2.17% and 0.91%, respectively, at solvents (hexane and methanol) to oil mass ratio of 6:1 with a hexane-oil to methanol flow rate ratio of 6:15 (LPH/LPH). By upscaling the n number in the extractor, this model can predict the best result of separation and purification of triglycerides with the highest purity of triglycerides and free fatty acids were 96.736% and 0,0001%, respectively. Thus, the edible oil standards can be met.