Design and evaluation of a zero-fossil fuel distiller for bioethanol

Abstract

The study developed a Zero Fossil Fuel Distiller (ZFFD) to address environmental issues on bioethanol production from Nipa Sap. The Mariano Marcos State University had developed a distiller that can produce 95% fuel grade bioethanol powered by fuelwood. While burning woods provides a good heat source, this activity’s byproducts are not good for the environment. The scarcity of fuelwood will also be a problem for bulk production. Hence, the development of a ZFFD integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies for easy monitoring, control, and configuration. A 10 kWp Hybrid Solar Photovoltaic System with battery backup was designed to power a 150 L capacity distiller. The power system is capable of storing excess harnessed energy to a battery and a grid for future use, as well as managing and monitoring the inflow and outflow of electricity on-site or remotely via IoT. Results show an average harnessed energy of 47.11 kWh to supply a 33.99 kWh required energy to distill 133 L of feedstock daily. The excess energy of 13.12 kWh is stored in the grid for future use. The developed ZFFD shows an improved regulation of the Kettle temperature, Column temperature, and Cooling System water flow.

Optimization of a 10 Litre Full Electric Reflux Distiller

“…After the fermentation is done, the fermented Nipa Sap can be distilled. MMSU developed distillation systems that can produce up to 95% ethanol concentration using a fire wood [5] and full electric through renewable energy like solar [6]. In the latest development [6], the temperature was controlled but not the flowrate of the cooling system.…”

“…The significance of this study will be applied to the larger capacity distillers [5] developed and produced by Mariano Marcos State University particularly those that are operated using a fixed flow rate cooling system and to the zero-fossil fuel distiller [6] that was not yet optimized. This study follows the process flowchart shown in Figure 1.…”