Thermodynamic Analysis of the Phase Behavior of the dimethyl carbonate + ethanol + {choline chloride : ethylene glycol (1:2 and 1:3)} systems at 101.3 kPa

• Grant number: 24/12213-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Industrial Operations and Equipment for Chemical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Pedro Felipe Arce Castillo
• Grantee: Luísa de Oliveira dos Santos
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de Lorena (EEL). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Lorena , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In the field of the fuels, dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is an excellent additive for gasoline and diesel. However, DMC can form an azeotrope with ethanol, and the separation of DMC from the azeotrope is very important. This project aims to perform the thermodynamic analysis of the liquid-liquid phase behavior (LLE) of the {DMC + ethanol + deep eutectic solvent (DES)} system, where the DES is composed by {choline chloride : ethylene glycol, 1 : 2 and 1 : 3}, at 101.3 kPa. The experimental equipment consists of an equilibrium cell, thermostatic bath, temperature and pressure sensors. In the first step, the binodal curve will be obtained using the cloud point method, which will be used to implement the calibration curves (refractive index and density versus composition). For the second stage, the compositions of the two liquid phases, at equilibrium, will be determined using the calibration curves. In the third stage, the experimental data will be tested for determining the quality and the separation factors will be determined. Finally, thermodynamic modeling will be carried out using the ³-³, approach, where the activity coefficient, ³, will be obtained from the NRTL (Non-Random Two-Liquids) model (P = 101,3 kPa). Results will be presented in terms of deviations of the compositions of both liquid phases and in phase diagrams. Finally, the efficiency of the DES, as an "entrainer", will be determined depending on the DES composition.