Experimental measurement and thermodynamic modeling of the liquid-liquid and vapor-liquid-liquid-vapor equilibria of the ethyl palmitate + ethanol + water system

• Grant number: 21/09836-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2021
• End date: October 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Industrial Operations and Equipment for Chemical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Pedro Felipe Arce Castillo
• Grantee: Breno Lenharo
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de Lorena (EEL). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Lorena , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Transesterification reactions are common in biodiesel production. Knowledge of the phase equilibrium conditions is essential to determine operating conditions (reactor and separation process). This project aims to study the fluid phase behavior of the liquid-liquid (LLE) and vapor-liquid-liquid (VLLE) equilibrium: experimental, quality test (LLE) / thermodynamic consistency (VLLVE) and thermodynamic modeling of ethyl palmitate + ethanol + water systems at 101.3 kPa. The experimental process will be carried out in equipment whose main components are the jacketed glass cell with adaptation to maintain a constant temperature (LLE) and the modified Othmer ebulliometer with recirculation (VLLE). Once the equilibrium is reached, the analyzes (LLE or VLLE compositions) will be made through the refractive index and density. Previously, calibration curves will be built. The quality test (LLE) and thermodynamic consistency (VLLE) of the experimental data, will be performed to determine whether the data are consistent or not, from the thermodynamic point of view. For thermodynamic modeling, the Gamma-Gamma approach (g-g) (LLE) and the Bubble T method, and the Gamma-Gamma-Phi (g-g-f) (VLLE) approach will be used. Experimental data will be compared with those obtained in the modeling, in terms of deviations of aqueous phase compositions (LLE) and the bubble temperature and vapor phase compositions (VLLE), and phase diagrams will be drawn showing the binodal curve and tie-lines (LLE) and bubble and dew curves (VLLE), at 101.3 kPa. (AU).