Use of deep eutectic solvents in the separation of fuel additives (101.3 kPa). Experimental and modeling

• Grant number: 23/17218-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2024
• End date: March 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Industrial Operations and Equipment for Chemical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Pedro Felipe Arce Castillo
• Grantee: Rafael dos Santos Pinheiro Lima
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de Lorena (EEL). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Lorena , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Biodiesel, as a biodegradable, sustainable and clean energy, has attracted renewed and growing interest, mainly due to the development of biodiesel fuel and ecological pressures that include climate change. Researches indicate that in order to improve the flow characteristics of biodiesel, ethyl acetate (EA) and/or isopropanol (IP) can be used as transesterification solvents instead of methanol or ethanol. This project aims to carry out experimental measurement, quality testing, distribution coefficient and separation factor, and thermodynamic modeling of liquid-liquid equilibrium phase behavior based on the separation of AE and IP using deep eutectic solvents (SEP). The experimental process will be carried out in equipment, containing the equilibrium cell adapted to maintain a constant temperature. At equilibrium, the analyzes of the two liquid phases will be done using the refractive index (IR) and density (Á). Previously, the binodal curve, obtained at the cloud point, will be used as a calibration curve (IR and Á versus composition). The quality test will be carried out using the method proposed by Marcilla et.al. With the experimental data, the distribution coefficients and separation factors will be determined. In thermodynamic modeling, the Gamma-Gamma approach (g-g) will be used, based on the excess Gibbs free energy model: UNIQUAC (UNIversal QUAse Chemical). Experimental and modeled results will be presented in phase diagrams at temperatures of 298,15 K and 101,3 kPa.