Bioethanol dehydration and mixing by heterogeneous azeotropic distillation

Bioethanol is mixed with gasoline according to many countries' legislation pursuing environmental sustainability by reducing the use of fossil fuels. produced fermentation organic waste or biomass resources in diluted aqueous media. Unfortunately, bioethanol for fuel must have a low content water and its recovery an energy intensive operation. Heterogeneous azeotropic distillation (HAD) well-known suitable option dehydration alcohols, e.g. ethanol. Many entrainers this process are studied literature and, study, checked verified that additives present lowest consumption. For purpose, novel processes proposed rigorously simulated using AspenPlus® verify their performance respect conventional used currently. Based on simulation results, then compared terms impact (expressed Potential Environmental Impact (PEI) index) economic cost. Ethanol non-spontaneous requires be accomplished other hand, mixing ethanol spontaneous process. Combining both synergy single unit, consumption decreases 50% 80%. Finally, study indicated benefits employing scheme one column as CAPEX reduced 20% payback time 1.5 years. Therefore, viable greatly reduces nowadays production.