In There are few simulation studies in the literature focusing on the production of biodiesel from vegetable oil deodorization distillate (VODD), a waste originating from the vegetable oil processing stage, using hydrotalcite-hydroxyapatite as a heterogeneous catalyst. In this study, the simulation process was performed using open interface software DWSIM® Version 6.3. The motivation relied on the positive performance of the catalyst during the experimental studies. So, in the simulator design, the lipid raw material, ethanol, and the catalyst were fed together in a CSTR-01 conversion reactor. The thermodynamic fluid package used for this process was the Non-Random Two-Liquid (NRTL) activity coefficient model. The process flowchart consisted of the reaction step (oil transesterification), and separation steps of the ethyl esters produced, excess ethanol and purification of biodiesel. As a result, different scenarios were simulated, using commercial soybean oil as a comparative form, different types of catalysts and different molar ratios of alcohol and VODD. Among the main differences between the simulated cases, it was demonstrated that the excess of alcohol (1:45) caused greater quantity of VODD consumption, and consequently the greater formation of ethyl esters (biodiesel), resulting higher conversions (> 95%). In addition, the results obtained confirmed the adequacy of VODD as a potential raw material to produce biodiesel, as it is relatively cheaper than edible oils and contributes to the use of waste. Thus, confirming that the chemical catalyst was able to form the main esters of fatty acids even using a residual raw material.
Biodiesel is one of the main sources of renewable energy that can be obtained from oils and fats by transesterification. However, biodiesel produced from vegetable oils as a raw material is expensive. Thus, an alternative and inexpensive raw material such as vegetable oil deodorizing distillate (VODD) can be used as a raw material for the production of biodiesel. In this study, technical-economic analyzes were carried out in the biodiesel production process using VODD as raw material and hydrotalcite-hydroxyapatite as heterogeneous catalyst. Four different scenarios were considered for the economic technical evaluation of the biodiesel production process: heterogeneous catalysis, homogeneous catalysis, reduced ethanol flow in the process input stream, and different proportions of the biodiesel:diesel mixture. Biodiesel production presented a positive internal rate of return (IRR), and in comparison, with the minimum attractiveness rate (MAR), it was economically viable based on the sales prices of the revenues practiced. In the sensitivity analyses, it was observed that the catalyst acquisition price was the most critical factor in the economic analysis of the simulated plant. Using different catalysts, a comparative study showed that the heterogeneous catalyst makes the process less expensive with the purification steps. Thus, it can be confirmed that the results obtained from this study can open paths for new developments in the biodiesel process in relation to the use of residual raw material and new materials to be used as catalysts.
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