ANALISIS OF EFFICIENT MANAGE OF ENERGY AND WATER IN ETHANOL DISTILLERY

Abstract

Mass and energy balances were carried out in order to determining the consumptions of water in ethanol production and on this way to propose solutions for saving and achieve a correct distribution of the same one, also, integration tools were applied for the identification of a better distribution of energy and with it to propitiate the costs reduction. For the energy integration the software ASPEN PLUS was used and the simulation of the dilution, pre - fermentation, fermentation and distillation stages was carried out to obtain ethanol in technical and superfine grade. In this article were also evaluated alternatives for heat exchange among hot and cold currents, for this ASPEN PINCH software was used and the minimum requirements of utilities were identified for the process. Also was carried out the economic evaluation of the proposed modifications, with the purpose of determining the technical and economic feasibility of water and energy saving. The economic feasibility of the integration was also evaluated.