Purification Simulation With Vapor Permeation and Distillation-Adsorption In Bioethanol Plant

Abstract

High purity of Bioethanol is required in biofuel mi xing with gasoline (EXX). In bioethanol production li e, the azeotropic property of ethanol-water becomes the ba rrier for purification process. This study examined two bioethanol separation processes by support of simulation tools , Superpro Designer 9.0 software. Ethanol purity an d low costeconomical process were the major considerations. P urification method of vapor permeation membrane tec hnology was compared with distillation-adsorption method. Data from previous lab experiments and some literatures w re used. The results showed that distillation-adsorption method is more economical compared to vapor permeation tec hnology. Payback period of the simulation is 3.9 years and 4 .3 years to distillation adsorption and vapor perme ation respectively with each IRR value is 20.23% and 17.89%. Initial i nvestment value of vapor permeation is 9.6% higher t an distillation method. Significant difference observe d in operating costs, since more units involved in vapor permeation require more labors to operate.