Reductions In Utilization Costs Research Articles

Comparative study of recovering acetic acid with energy integrated schemes

Abstract The heat pumping and multi-effect distillation techniques were evaluated for recovering acetic acid from aqueous solutions with low boiling solvents, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and ethyl acetate (EtOAc). The overhead vapour recompression and two types of column cascading techniques are compared to the conventional acetic acid recovery scheme. It was found that (1) by switching the solvent to MTBE, approximately a 57% reduction in utility cost can be reached; (2) by using mechanical vapour recompression, as well as two different multi-effect distillation arrangements, further utility cost reduction can be obtained. For the best configuration, a 68% reduction in the utility requirements for recovering acetic acid is achieved. The pay-back time for the best configuration is calculated as 9 months. The calculated theoretical reduction in CO2 emission is approximately 404 kg CO2/h, corresponding to a 70 wt% reduction.

Energy efficiency at the Ohio State University

The Ohio State University is actively engaged in an energy conservation program, the results of which are surpassing the energy savings anticipated when the program originated. The goal stated in the original proposal was to obtain a 20% average energy reduction in buildings analyzed. The estimated dollar reduction in utility costs on over 50 buildings now studied range from 30 to 60%. Actual metered results on several buildings already modified show that the estimated savings are usually consevative