1,2—Propanediol Production from Glycerol Derived from Biodiesel’s Production: Technical and Economic Study

Juan B. Restrepo, Carlos D. Paternina-Arboleda and Antonio J. Bula
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Juan B. Restrepo: Programa de Ingeniería Química, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad del Atlántico, Carrera 30 # 8-49, Puerto Colombia C.P. 081001, Colombia
Carlos D. Paternina-Arboleda: Departamento de Ingeniería Industrial, Universidad del Norte, Km 5 Vía Puerto Colombia, Barranquilla C.P. 080001, Colombia
Antonio J. Bula: Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Universidad del Norte, Km 5 Vía Puerto Colombia, Barranquilla C.P. 080001, Colombia

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 16, 1-15

Abstract: For every nine tons of produced biodiesel, there is another ton of glycerol as a byproduct. Therefore, glycerol prices dropped significantly worldwide in recent years; the more significant biodiesel production is, the more glycerol exists as a byproduct. glycerol prices also impact the biodiesel manufacturing business, as it could be sold according to its refinement grade. The primary objective of this work was to evaluate the economic potential of the production of 1,2-propanediol derived from the biodiesel produced in Colombia. A plant to produce 1,2-propanediol via catalytic hydrogenation of glycerol in a trickle-bed reactor was designed. The plant comprised a reaction scheme where non-converted excess hydrogen was recycled, and the heat generated in the reactor was recovered. The reactor effluent was sent to a separation train where 98% m/m purity 1,2-propanediol was attained. Capital and operational costs were estimated from the process simulation. The net present value (NPV) and the modified internal return rate (MIRR) of the plant were used to assess the viability of the process. Their sensitivity to key input variables was evaluated to find the viability limits of the project. The economic potential of the 1,2-propanediol was calculated in USD 1.2/kg; for the base case, the NPV and the MIRR were USD 54.805 million and 22.56%, respectively, showing that, for moderate variations in products and raw material prices, the process is economically viable.

Keywords: 1,2 propanediol; biodiesel; glycerol as a byproduct; Colombia case-study; trickle-bed reactor (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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