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Use of reactive distillation in biodiesel production: A simulation-based comparison of energy requirements and profitability indicators

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  • Poddar, Tuhin
  • Jagannath, Anoop
  • Almansoori, Ali

Abstract

The advent of biodiesel, as a viable alternative to replace crude-based diesel as transport fuel, has prompted growing interest worldwide due to the need for low-emission fuels. In this work, two reactive distillation processes using soybean oil as main feedstock along with the corresponding downstream separation units are simulated: the first process involves a homogeneous alkali catalyst; whereas the second involves a heterogeneous catalyst. Both processes yield a high purity biodiesel product. In the present work, ASPEN Plus v8.4 is used as the process simulation tool. The energy requirements of both processes were evaluated based on the optimization of the distillation column duties and performing heat integration on the process streams. The optimization of the column duties was performed by analyzing the Column Grand Composite Curves (CGCC). The process streams were heat integrated, and a Heat Exchanger Network (HEN) was designed to minimize utility consumption. Both processes were compared using profitability indicators such as Return-On-Investment (ROI), payback period and unit production cost. The results show that the heterogeneous-catalyzed process is more profitable than the alkali-catalyzed process for biodiesel production. The ROI, payback period and unit production cost were 486%, 0.2years and $0.712 per kg of biodiesel respectively. For the analysis, an annual production capacity of 35.4kilotonnes/year of biodiesel production was assumed.

Suggested Citation

  • Poddar, Tuhin & Jagannath, Anoop & Almansoori, Ali, 2017. "Use of reactive distillation in biodiesel production: A simulation-based comparison of energy requirements and profitability indicators," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P2), pages 985-997.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:185:y:2017:i:p2:p:985-997
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.12.054
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chen, Ting & Zhang, Bingjian & Chen, Qinglin, 2014. "Heat integration of fractionating systems in para-xylene plants based on column optimization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 311-321.
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    2. Kirill A. Zhichkin & Vladimir V. Nosov & Lyudmila N. Zhichkina & Elena A. Krasil’nikova & Olga K. Kotar & Yuri D. Shlenov & Galina V. Korneva & Anna A. Terekhova & Vadim G. Plyushchikov & Vladimir P. , 2022. "Agronomic and Economic Aspects of Biodiesel Production from Oilseeds: A Case Study in Russia, Middle Volga Region," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-19, October.
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    4. Guedes do Nascimento, Leomário & Costa Monteiro, Luciane Pimentel & de Cássia Colman Simões, Rita & Prata, Diego Martinez, 2023. "Eco-efficiency analysis and intensification of the biodiesel production process through vapor recompression strategy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 275(C).
    5. Panchal, Balaji & Bian, Kai & Chang, Tao & Zhu, Zheng & Wang, Jinxi & Qin, Shenjun & Zhao, Cunliang & Sun, Yuzhuang, 2021. "Synthesis of Generation-2 polyamidoamine based ionic liquid: Efficient dendrimer based catalytic green fuel production from yellow grease," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 219(C).
    6. Oza, Suvik & Kodgire, Pravin & Kachhwaha, Surendra Singh & Lam, Man Kee & Yusup, Suzana & Chai, Yee Ho & Rokhum, Samuel Lalthazuala, 2024. "A review on sustainable and scalable biodiesel production using ultra-sonication technology," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
    7. Gómez-Castro, F.I. & Gutiérrez-Antonio, C. & Romero-Izquierdo, A.G. & May-Vázquez, M.M. & Hernández, S., 2023. "Intensified technologies for the production of triglyceride-based biofuels: Current status and future trends," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    8. Janbarari, Seyed Reza & Ahmadian Behrooz, Hesam, 2020. "Optimal and robust synthesis of the biodiesel production process using waste cooking oil from different feedstocks," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).
    9. Joda, Fatemeh & Ahmadi, Fatemeh, 2019. "Exergoeconomic analysis of conventional and using reactive distillation biodiesel production scenarios thermally integrated with a combined power plant," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 898-910.
    10. Zhang, Heng & Li, Hu & Pan, Hu & Wang, Anping & Souzanchi, Sadra & Xu, Chunbao (Charles) & Yang, Song, 2018. "Magnetically recyclable acidic polymeric ionic liquids decorated with hydrophobic regulators as highly efficient and stable catalysts for biodiesel production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 223(C), pages 416-429.
    11. Xia, Hui & Ye, Qing & Feng, Shenyao & Li, Rui & Suo, Xiaomeng, 2017. "A novel energy-saving pressure swing distillation process based on self-heat recuperation technology," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 770-781.
    12. Živković, Snežana B. & Veljković, Milan V. & Banković-Ilić, Ivana B. & Krstić, Ivan M. & Konstantinović, Sandra S. & Ilić, Slavica B. & Avramović, Jelena M. & Stamenković, Olivera S. & Veljković, Vlad, 2017. "Technological, technical, economic, environmental, social, human health risk, toxicological and policy considerations of biodiesel production and use," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 222-247.

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