Application of Stochastic Simulation Techniques in the Analysis of a Biodiesel Production Plant

Authors: D. M. O. Silva, F. L. P. Pessoa, A. L. H. Costa

Abstract:

The use of the simulation results can be limited due to the uncertainties associated with the input variables and parameters of the actual process. In this context, the main objective of this study was the use of stochastic optimization techniques in the analysis of a biodiesel production process in relation to the uncertainties involved. The stochastic simulation procedures were applied associated with Hysys process simulator. The characterization of the system behavior before the uncertainties was performed using a set of simulations, where in each, the values of one or more input variables/parameters were randomly chosen according to an appropriate probability density function. The studied cases were: the disturbance of the vacuum system pressure drop in the purification step and the influence of changes in the molar ratio of the reactants on the yield of the reaction. In conclusion it could be seen that the stochastic analysis helped to choose the best simulation tracks to the input variables/parameters studied, since it helps to know the probabilities of the proposed conditions do not meet specifications.

Keywords: Biodiesel, stochastic, thermodynamic, transesterification.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15803163

References:

[1] F. T. Mizutani, A. L. H. Costa and F. L. P. Pessoa, Stochastic Simulation of Supercritical Fluid Extraction Processes. Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ); Braz. J. Chem. Eng., vol. 17, n. 3. São Paulo (2000).
[2] U. M. Diwekar and E. S. Rubin, Sthochastic Modeling of Chemical Processes, Computers and Chemical Engineering, 15, No. 2, p. 105 (1991).
[3] I. S. Melaaen and G. Owren, How Do the Inaccuracies of Enthalpy and Vapour-Liquid Equilibrium Calculations Influemce Baseload LNG Plant Design, Computers and Chemical Engineering, 20, No. 1, p. 1 (1996).
[4] C. B. Gonçalves, Equilíbrio de Fases de Sistemas Compostos por Óleos Vegetais, Ácidos Graxos e Etanol Hidratado. FEA/UNICAMP. Campinas, Brasil (2004).
[5] G. Knothe, J. V. Gerpen, J. Krahl, The Biodiesel Handbook. AOCS Press, Illinois (2005).
[6] C. Lee, Y. Lo and H. Lin, Liquid-Liquid Equilibria for Mixtures Containing Water, Methanol, Fatty Acid Methyl Esters and Glycerol. Fluid Phase Equilibria, v. 299, p. 180-190 (2010).
[7] M. B. Oliveira, F. Llovell, M. Cruz, L. F. Vega and J. A. P. Coutinho, Phase Equlibria Description of Biodiesels with Water and Alcohols for the Optimal Design of the Production and Purification Process. Fuel, v. 129, p. 116-128 (2014).
[8] C. H. Tu, Y. S. Wu and T. L. Liu, Isobaric Vapor-Liquid Equilibria of the Methanol, Methyl Acetate and Methyl Acrylate System at Atmospheric Pressure. Fluid Phase Equilibria, v. 135, p. 97-108 (1997).
[9] H. Noureddini and D. Zhu, Kinetics of transesterification of soybean oil. Journal of American Oil Chemistry’s Society, v. 74, nº 11, p. 1457-1463 (1997).
[10] R. T. P. Santos, Planejamento Experimental Aplicado a Reações de Catálise Homogênea Básica para Produção de Biodiesel. Escola de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, Brasil (2007).
[11] R. C. Bessa, F. F. S. De Pádua, L. C. Gomes, Projeto Preliminar de Planta de Produção de Biodiesel. Rio de Janeiro: UFRJ/EQ (2011).
[12] R. M. Cavalcante, Predição da Densidade de Biodiesel Proveniente de Diversas Matérias-Primas. EQ, UFRJ, p. 35 (2010).
[13] C. S. Lim, Z. A. Manan and M. R. Sarmidi, Simulation modeling of the Phase Behavior of Palm Oil-Supercritical Carbon Dioxide. Journal of American Oil Chemistry’s Society, v. 80, nº 11, p. 1147-1156 (2003).
[14] M. Wörgether, D. Bacovsky, W. Körbitz and M. Mittelbach, Biodiesel Production: Technologies and European Providers. IEA Task 39 Report T39-B6, 104 pp (2007).
[15] D. A. G. Aranda and Y. R. Cruz, Projeto de Implantação de Uma Usina para Produção de Biodiesel pela Rota Metílica. Relatório técnico para a Indústria Urso Branco (2007).