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Improvement of the Crude Glycerol Purification Process Derived from Biodiesel Production Waste Sources through Computational Modeling

Author

Listed:
  • Matheus Oliveira

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal)

  • Ana Ramos

    (LAETA-INEGI, Associated Laboratory for Energy, Transports and Aeronautics, Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, R. Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal)

  • Eliseu Monteiro

    (LAETA-INEGI, Associated Laboratory for Energy, Transports and Aeronautics, Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, R. Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
    Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, R. Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal)

  • Abel Rouboa

    (LAETA-INEGI, Associated Laboratory for Energy, Transports and Aeronautics, Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, R. Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
    Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, R. Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
    Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, School of Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA)

Abstract

Considering waste as a possible new resource for useful purposes is one of the strategies included in the circular economy principles. In fact, industrial processes are seen as great contributors to the formation of waste streams. With the aim to attain more sustainable and resilient systems, in this study, a process flow chart was elaborated in an Aspen Plus computer simulator, to obtain the production of pure glycerol from crude glycerol (a by-product of biodiesel production). This process occurs through fractional vacuum distillation, the methanol recovery route in the deacidification process and the removal of methanol from the reaction medium. The separation stages of the crude glycerol implemented enabled a degree of purification of 99.77%, meeting the specifications of the pharmaceutical use. The developed model allowed for the optimization of the purification process, raising by 40% the mass flow rate of pure glycerol. A conclusion could be drawn that the use of crude glycerol is an excellent option for the development of new products with greater added-value, contributing to the zero waste principles and to the circular economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Matheus Oliveira & Ana Ramos & Eliseu Monteiro & Abel Rouboa, 2022. "Improvement of the Crude Glycerol Purification Process Derived from Biodiesel Production Waste Sources through Computational Modeling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-12, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:3:p:1747-:d:741224
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ardi, M.S. & Aroua, M.K. & Hashim, N. Awanis, 2015. "Progress, prospect and challenges in glycerol purification process: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 1164-1173.
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    Cited by:

    1. K. A. Viraj Miyuranga & Udara S. P. R. Arachchige & Randika A. Jayasinghe & Gamunu Samarakoon, 2022. "Purification of Residual Glycerol from Biodiesel Production as a Value-Added Raw Material for Glycerolysis of Free Fatty Acids in Waste Cooking Oil," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-20, November.

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