Exergetic evaluation of multiple-effect evaporators in sugarcane mills

Author(s)

Pellegrini, Luiz Felipe ; de Oliveira, Silvio, Jr. ; Frangopoulos, CA ; Rakopoulos, CD ; Tsatsaronis, G

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ECOS 2006: PROCEEDINGS OF THE 19TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EFFICIENCY, COST, OPTIMIZATION, SIMULATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF ENERGY SYSTEMS, VOLS 1-3; v. N/A, p. 3-pg., 2006-01-01.

Abstract

Multiple-effect evaporators are the main consumers of backpressure steam in sugarcane mills, The purpose of this equipment is to concentrate juice extracted in the milling process into syrup. During this process, steam of different exergy content can be produced and used as heat sources in other processes. In this sense, one could say that multiple-effect evaporators are responsible for the integration of the utilities plant and the process plant in sugarcane mills. Thus, any optimization procedure aiming to enhance power generation in sugarcane mills must take into account possible modifications in this process. The objective of this paper is to develop a methodology to evaluate this equipment based on exergy analysis. Previous works have developed exergy analysis for this process, but the exergy calculations were not very reliable. In this paper, these calculations will follow recent works, which have standardized these procedures. The methodology proposed will allow the performance evaluation of existing evaporators, the suggestion of modifications, and project of new ones. The methodology has been applied to real multiple-effect evaporator of a Brazilian sugarcane mill, and the results are discussed in the end. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 03/12094-8 - Thermal-economic-environmental analysis of configurations of utilities plants in sugar and alcohol factories
• Grantee: Luiz Felipe Pellegrini
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)