Simulation and life cycle assessment of process design alternatives for biodiesel production from waste vegetable oils
2010; Elsevier BV; Volume: 18; Issue: 13 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/j.jclepro.2010.04.014
ISSN1879-1786
AutoresSérgio Alberto Morais, Teresa M. Mata, António A. Martins, G.A. Pinto, Carlos A. V. Costa,
Tópico(s)Enzyme Catalysis and Immobilization
ResumoThis study uses the process simulator ASPEN Plus® and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to compare three process design alternatives for biodiesel production from waste vegetable oils that are: the conventional alkali-catalyzed process including a free fatty acids (FFAs) pre-treatment, the acid-catalyzed process, and the supercritical methanol process using propane as co-solvent. Results show that the supercritical methanol process using propane as co-solvent is the most environmentally favorable alternative. Its smaller steam consumption in comparison with the other process design alternatives leads to a lower contribution to the potential environmental impacts (PEI’s). The acid-catalyzed process generally shows the highest PEI’s, in particular due to the high energy requirements associated with methanol recovery operations.
Referência(s)