Development of a vacuum and condensation system to recover acetone-butanol-ethanol from fermentation broths

• Grant number: 19/03019-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: June 01, 2019
• End date: July 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Industrial Operations and Equipment for Chemical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Adriano Pinto Mariano
• Grantee: Igor Lucas Rodrigues Dias
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Química (FEQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/20630-4 - Biorefinery development integrated to a bioethanol sugar cane plant with zero CO2 emission: routes to convert renewable resources to bio-products and bio-electricity, AP.TEM

Abstract

Solventogenic clostridium species responsible for the ABE fermentation (Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol) are strongly inhibited by butanol, resulting in dilute processes with low energy efficiency and high stillage production. Possible solutions include fermentation technologies with integrated product recovery. Among these technologies, vacuum fermentation attracts attention due to its simplicity. However, previous studies have demonstrated that the energy cost to condensate the vapors generated during the boiling of the fermentation broth is prohibitive. To solve this problem of the vacuum fermentation, this project aims to develop a low energy cost vacuum and condensation system. The system is based on ejectors operated with an organic solvent to generate the vacuum. The organic solvent is ethylene glycol, which can bring advantages for the separation and purification of the products by distillation. Studies will be conducted using process simulation in Aspen Plus, and the efficiency of the proposed process (vacuum fermentation/condensation/distillation) will be assessed by energy (pinch analysis) and economic analyses. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

KHOURI, NADIA G.; FONTANA, MICHELLI; DIAS, IGOR L. R.; MACIEL, MARIA R. W.; MACIEL FILHO, RUBENS; MARIANO, ADRIANO P.. Chemical Engineering Teaching in COVID-19 Times: Successfully Adapting a Capstone Design Course to a Remote Format. Journal of Chemical Education, v. 98, n. 12, p. 3794-3803, DEC 14 2021. (19/03019-0, 19/24071-0, 15/20630-4)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

DIAS, Igor Lucas Rodrigues. Development of a vacuum and condensation system to recover acetone-butanol-ethanol from fermentation broths. 2021. Master's Dissertation - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Engenharia Química Campinas, SP.