Arief Budiman

Graphical exergy analysis of reactive distillation column for biodiesel production

This paper brings the novelty of the exergy analysis technique using Ex-N-A diagram to a packed reactive distillation (RD) column for biodiesel production. In this study, biodiesel is produced through the esterification of fatty acid with methanol. The simulation of the column was performed based on the non-equilibrium (NEQ) model of a three-phase packed RD system. The graphical Ex-N-A method was utilised to evaluate exergy features of the internal RD column. This technique rigorously demonstrated the value of exergy losses at each increment of the column, i.e., losses owing to the temperature change, phase change, mixing in liquid and vapour phases and chemical reaction. The effects of the molar ratio of the reactant and the height of the packed column on the conversion and exergy losses were examined and displayed in a simple figure.

Graphical exergy analysis of retrofitted distillation column

Thermodynamic analysis of a distillation column has important role for synthesising and developing energy-efficient distillation process. We have invented representation of this analysis to integrate characteristics of separation performance and exergy features of internal distillation column using Material-Utilisation Diagram (MUD). In this paper, we analyse separation performance and exergy loss phenomena for retrofitted distillation column, i.e., side heating?cooling and pump around in a distillation, on MUD. This MUD methodology displays Minimum Driving Force (MDF) for side heating-cooling and Close to Equilibrium Point (CEP) for pump-around system at a particular heat load.

Catalytic decomposition of tar derived from wood waste pyrolysis using Indonesian low grade iron ore as catalyst

Low grade iron ore can be used as an alternative catalyst for bio-tar decomposition. Compared to other catalysts, such as Ni, Rd, Ru, Pd and Pt, iron ore is cheaper. The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of using low grade iron ore as catalyst for tar catalytic decomposition in fixed bed reactor. Tar used in this experiment was pyrolysis product of wood waste while the catalyst was Indonesian low grade iron ore. The variables studied were temperatures between 500 – 600 °C and catalyst weight between 0 – 40 gram. The first step, tar was evaporated at 450 °C to produce tar vapor. Then, tar vapor was flowed to fixed bed reactor filled low grade iron ore. Gas and tar vapor from reactor was cooled, then the liquid and uncondensable gas were analyzed by GC/MS. The catalyst, after experiment, was weighed to calculate total carbon deposited into catalyst pores. The results showed that the tar components that were heavy and light hydrocarbon were decomposed and cracked within the iron ore po...

Study of pyrolysis of ulin wood residues

As abundant resources, ulin wood residues could be converted into bioenergy through pyrolysis process. To detail analysis, the pyrolyzer reactor was connected to micro GC for online gas analysis. By comparing to other biomass e.g. pinewood and low-grade coal, the ulin wood residues exhibited similar result when the pyrolysis process started around 400 °C. The char product decreased as elevated temperature due to gasification process. Based on the gas analysis, this pyrolysis produced a gas product which predominant composed of CO. The SEM analysis also showed that the pyrolysis treatment resulted in fine char with nanopores particles. Hence, the reactivity of the solid product would be increased significantly. Therefore, the ulin wood residues could be other alternatives as a renewable energy source through pyrolysis process.

Catalytic cracking of the top phase fraction of bio-oil into upgraded liquid oil

The energy consumption is increasing, while oil reserves as a primary energy resource are decreasing, so that is the reason seeking alternative energy source is inevitable. Biomass especially oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) which is abundant in Indonesia can be processed into bio-oil by pyrolysis process. The potential for direct substitution of bio-oil for petroleum may be limited due to the high viscosity, high oxygen content, low heating value, and corrosiveness. Consequently, upgrading of the bio-oil before use is inevitable to give a wider variety of applications of its liquid product. Furthermore, upgrading process to improve the quality of bio-oil by reduction of oxygenates involves process such as catalytic cracking. The objective of this research is to study the effect of operation temperature on yield and composition of upgraded liquid oil and to determine physical properties. Bio-oil derived from EFB was upgraded through catalytic cracking using series tubular reactor under atmospheric press...

Effect of modification ZSM-5 catalyst in upgrading quality of organic liquid product derived from catalytic cracking of Indonesian nyamplung oil (Calophyllum inophyllum)

The catalytic cracking of nyamplung oil over ZSM-5 catalyst was investigated in a packed bed reactor at the temperature of 450 °C and ratio of catalysts to oils was 1:5. The results show that ZSM-5 has high selectivity for aromatics compounds but low in the paraffin compounds. This aromatic compound has an advantage in increasing the octane number of gasoline even though it should be limited due to environmental regulation. To upgrade the quality of the organic liquid product is done by modification catalyst. One of the method to modify the catalysts by impregnating metal Ni into ZSM-5 with various % weight of Ni (2-7 wt. %). From BET and BJH analysis shows that the modification Ni/ZSM-5 catalysts affected the surface area and pore volume of catalyst. Compared to catalytic cracking of nyamplung oil with ZSM-5 catalysts, the loading of Ni to ZSM-5 could improve the selectivity of paraffin compounds. Increasing on nickel loaded tends to increase the selectivity of paraffin compounds and decrease the aromati...

Application of Coconut-Shell Activated Carbon as Heterogeneous Solid Catalyst for Biodiesel Synthesis

Biodiesel is a bio-based fuel for diesel engine synthesized from renewable oils isolated from oil crops or animal. Biodiesel can be produced through transesterification where the process involves a catalyst and an alcohol. The most common catalyst for this process is homogeneous liquid catalyst. However, this catalyst system suffers from environmental problems. In order to eliminate the problem, we developed potassium loaded on coconut-shell activated carbon (K/AC) as heterogeneous solid catalyst which is easily regenerated, leading to more secure and more environmental friendly application. The purpose of the present work is to demonstrate the biodiesel synthesis from palm oil using K/AC catalyst in stirred tank reactor. Reaction variables such as methanol-oil molar ratio and temperature were optimized to reach the highest conversion for 4 hours reaction time. The highest reaction conversion, 26.98%, was obtained at methanol-oil molar ratio of 6:1 and reaction temperature of 60 °C. Furthermore, the value of collision factor, activation energy and standard enthalpy change of reaction obtained are 5.40 x 103 dm6.(mol.gcat.min)-1, 16.113 cal/mol and 5499.40 cal/mol, respectively.

Effect of support on catalytic cracking of bio-oil over Ni/silica-alumina

Depletion of petroleum and environmental problem have led to look for an alternative fuel sources In many ways, biomass is a potential renewable source. Among the many forms of biomass, oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) is a very attractive feedstock due to its abudance, low price and non-competitiveness with the food chain. EFB can be converted bio-oil by pyrolysis process. but this product can not be used directly as a transportation fuel, so it needs upgrading bio-oil through a catalytic cracking process. The catalyst plays an important role in the catalytic cracking process. The objective of this research is to study the effect of Ni concentrations (1,3,5 and 7 wt.%) on the characteristics of the catalyst Ni / Silica-Alumina and the performance test for the catalytic cracking of bio-oil. Preparation of the catalyst Ni / Silica-Alumina was done by impregnation at 80°C for 3 hours, then done to calcination and reduction at 500°C for 2 hours. The performance test was conducted on catalytic cracking temper...

Study of catalytic upgrading of biomass tars using Indonesian iron ore

Catalytic decomposition is a promising way for chemical upgrading process of low quality oil such as biomass tars. In this experiment, catalytic decomposition of biomass tars was performed over Indonesian low grade iron ore catalyst. This process is carried out in a fixed bedreactor which is equipped with preheater to convert the tars into vapor form. The reaction was studied at the temperature range of 500 – 700°C. The kinetic study of catalytic decomposition of biomass tars is represented using first order reaction. The results show that value of constant of chemical reaction is in range 0.2514 – 0.9642 cm3.gr−1.min−1 with value of the frequency factor (A) and the activation energy (E) are 48.98 min−1 and 5724.94 cal.mol−1, respectively.

Reaction kinetics of free fatty acids esterification in palm fatty acid distillate using coconut shell biochar sulfonated catalyst

Recently, a new strategy of preparing novel carbon-based solid acids has been developed. In this research, the esterification reactions of Palm Fatty Acid Distillate (PFAD) with methanol, using coconut shell biochar sulfonated catalyst from biomass wastes as catalyst, were studied. In this study, the coconut shell biochar sulfonated catalysts were synthesized by sulfonating the coconut shell biochar using concentrated H2SO4. The kinetics of free fatty acid (FFA) esterification in PFAD using a coconut shell biochar sulfonated catalyst was also studied. The effects of the mass ratio of catalyst to oil (1-10%), the molar ratio of methanol to oil (6:1-12:1), and the reaction temperature (40-60°C) were studied for the conversion of PFAD to optimize the reaction conditions. The results showed that the optimal conditions were an methanol to PFAD molar ratio of 12:1, the amount of catalyst of 10%w, and reaction temperature of 60°C. The proposed kinetic model shows a reversible second order reaction and represents all the experimental data satisfactorily, providing deeper insight into the kinetics of the reaction.