Computer simulation of the solvent extraction process of odoriferous compounds in bioglycerol

• Grant number: 23/16095-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: December 01, 2023
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Roberta Ceriani
• Grantee: Eduardo Filipe Zimmermann Pivatto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Química (FEQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/11380-5 - CPTEn - São Paulo Center for the Study of Energy Transition, AP.CCD

Abstract

To compete with the consolidated and traditional petrochemical industry, the oleochemical industry has pursued more upstanding applications for the bioglycerol co-product. Glycerol is an organic compound with three OH groups linked to the carbon chain (1,2,3 propanetriol). It is a very versatile chemical component, being used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. In addition to other means, glycerol is generated as a co-product of biodiesel production, the volume of which produced in Brazil reached 5.9 billion liters in 2019 (ANP, 2020). Each 1 liter of biodiesel produced generates around 0.07 liters of glycerol as a co-product and the viability of industrial biodiesel plants has as a preponderant factor the destination given to the glycerol (PAGLIARO, 2017). After the transesterification reaction and separation of the biodiesel fraction, the glycerol fraction contains several impurities, which must be removed to a greater or lesser extent during the purification steps. In fact, the applications of bioglycerol from biodiesel production depend on the degree of purity in terms of glycerol. According to Mousavi et al. (2019) "The quality of hydrolyzed glycerin obtained from biodiesel is not suitable and cannot be used as a feed stream in other operations", which implies the importance of purification processes, as a key factor for the expansion of its industrial use. Maquirriain et al. (2020) investigated the composition of blonde glycerin samples (around 85% m/m or 50% molar glycerol) from different suppliers, with variability in the raw material, the technology used to produce biodiesel and the size of the biodiesel production industry (from small local plants to processing plants of up to 200,000 tons/year). The authors evaluated parameters such as free acidity, water content, non-glycerol organic matter (MONG), saponifiable matter (free fatty acids, esters, partial acylglycerols and triacylglycerols), among others. A notable variation in the quality of the blonde glycerins analyzed was identified, related both to the capacity of the plant and the technology used in the production of biodiesel. This reinforces the interest in applying solvent extraction as a step in the purification process, since compounds with similar solubilities in the chosen solvent (oxygenated, for example) can be removed throughout the stages of the liquid-liquid extractor. In this sense, this master's project aims to study the solvent extraction process of odoriferous compounds from bioglycerol. An experimental stage is planned to acquire liquid-liquid equilibrium data involving model systems of interest. Next, the study will be carried out using computer simulation involving solvent extraction in multi-stage liquid-liquid extractors in cross-current and counter-current, evaluating the effect of the number of stages and the S/F ratio (solvent flow/feed flow) on product quality. All computational simulations will be carried out using Aspen Plus software.