Production of biodiesel from acid oil using sulfuric acid as catalyst: Kinetics study

Biodiesel production is becoming more relevant due to its environmental advantages together with the global petroleum situation regarding decreases of the reserves, instability of the prices and so on. The kinetics of the esterification and transesterification reaction of an acid oil (10% of initial free fatty acid) was studied using ethanol and a homogenous acid catalyst. The controlling step method was employed to obtain the kinetic equations, and nonlinear multiparametric routine was implemented to estimate the kinetic parameters. The selected reaction rate represented the experimental data for several operating conditions satisfactorily.Fil: Marchetti, Jorge Mario. Norwegian University of Science and Technology; NoruegaFil: Pedernera, Marisa Noemi. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Schbib, Noemi Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentin

Green synthesis of nanocrystalline faujasite zeolite

In this work, the synthesis of 28 and 38 nm Na-Y zeolite nanocrystals is reported. The process was performed via green synthesis without any organic structure directing agents (SDAs), at low temperature and applying ultrasound-assisted aging. The zeolite nanoparticles obtained were characterized by X ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and N2 adsorption – desorption isotherm at 77 K. A simple, fast, efficient and environmentally friendly procedure to synthetize nanocrystalline FAU zeolite is described in the present study. The sonochemical pretreatment was found to directly affect the Na-Y zeolite properties. The final product obtained via ultrasound pretreatment shows high phase purity and crystallinity degree with crystal size smaller than 38 nm and elevated surface area (SBET ∼ 950 m2 g−1). The hierarchical micro- and mesoporous FAU zeolites exhibit a pore volume of ∼0.4 cm3 g−1.Fil: Reinoso, Deborath Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Adrover, María Esperanza. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Pedernera, Marisa Noemi. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; Argentin

Process intensification through the use of multifunctional reactors for PEMFC grade hydrogen production: Process design and simulation

A highly integrated process aiming electrical and heating power supply is proposed. Ethanol, water and air at atmospheric conditions are considered as feedstocks. Main focus is put in process intensification through the use of parallel-plate and membrane reactors allowing the combination of different process operations within the units. The electric power is generated by means of a PEM fuel cell, which is fed with pure hydrogen produced by ethanol steam reforming with subsequent purification. Appropriate thermal integration is achieved both in the parallel-plate units as well as in the membrane reactor. The high temperature of the streams exiting the reformer allows preheating the air to the combustion sections and the sweep gas to the membrane reactor improving the process integration and achieving an electrical production of 2.5 kW. In addition, a hot water stream is used to produce the cogeneration heat, increasing the total thermal efficiency up to 56.3%.Fil: Izurieta, Eduardo Miguel. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Adrover, María Esperanza. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Pedernera, Marisa Noemi. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Lopez, Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentin

Ethanol Processor Design for Hydrogen Production. Kinetic Analysis and Process Integration

A kinetic study of ethanol steam reforming was conducted with a commercial nickel-based catalyst. The reaction was studied at atmospheric pressure, with temperatures varying from 550 to 650 °C and residence times up to 25 h·g/Nm3. From the analysis of the product distribution, a scheme of reactions was proposed and used to simulate a pseudohomogeneous reactor and to fit the kinetic parameters. Results showed good fitting with the measured data. The kinetic expressions were profited toward the design of an integrated process of H2 production from ethanol, which includes a parallel-plate reactor, a shell-and-tube membrane unit, and auxiliary units. Results showed satisfactory thermal integration with efficiencies from 43 to 47% based on lower heating values and from 52 to 57% based on higher heating values. For three different simulation scenarios, outlet streams of about 10 molH2 /h were obtained. The proposed scheme showed robustness, accepting significant variations in the set conditions and still maintaining the process operability.Fil: Izurieta, Eduardo Miguel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Adrover, María Esperanza. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Pedernera, Marisa Noemi. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Lopez, Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentin

Synthesis and characterization of mesoporous SBA-15 and SBA-16 as carriers to improve albendazole dissolution rate

Albendazole (ABZ, anti-parasitic active pharmaceutical ingredient) is a crystalline low water-soluble drug, thus the dissolution rate in gastrointestinal fluids is limited. Consequently, the improvement of the water solubility and dissolution rate of ABZ implies a great challenge for a more efficient treatment of hydatidosis. In this context, SBA-15 and SBA-16 ordered mesoporous silica materials were synthetized and loaded with ABZ. X-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy, nitrogen physisorption manometry, particle size distribution and scanning electronic microscopy were used to characterize unloaded and loaded materials (ABZ/SBA-15 and ABZ/SBA-16). The loaded ABZ amount in the carriers was estimated by elemental analysis. For the loaded materials, the drug solubility and release profile were evaluated. In addition, mathematical models were compared to explain the dissolution kinetics of ABZ from mesoporous solids. ABZ was successfully loaded into the mesopores. The amorphous state of the adsorbed ABZ was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry that resulted in a notable increment in the dissolution rate compared to crystalline ABZ. Drug release behaviors were well simulated by the Weibull model for ABZ/SBA-15 and by the Gompertz function for pure ABZ and ABZ/SBA-16. The SBA-15 carrier exhibited the highest drug loading and dissolution rate becoming a promising material to improve ABZ bioavailability.Fil: Adrover, María Esperanza. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Pedernera, Marisa Noemi. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Bonne, Magali. Université Haute-alsace.; Francia. Université de Strasbourg; FranciaFil: Lebeau, Bénédicte. Université Haute-alsace.; Francia. Université de Strasbourg; FranciaFil: Bucala, Veronica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Gallo, Loreana Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; Argentin

Steam reforming of upgraded bio-oil aqueous phase fraction from sunflower seed hulls: Thermodynamic analysis

This work focuses on the study of hy-drogen production process departing from waste lig-nocellulosic biomass. The bio-oil was first obtained by non-catalytic fast pyrolysis of sunflower seed hulls. Subsequently, it was upgraded to reduce the concen-tration of higher molecular weight compounds by wa-ter addition and mixing. A 1/1 bio-oil: water ratio was selected here. Later, a thermodynamic analysis based on free energy minimization was profited to study the steam reforming process of the upgraded bio-oil sample. The influence of the operation temperature on the reforming was analyzed. The highest hydrogen yields were obtained at ~740°C. A comparison with acetic acid used as model compound of the bio-oil is included. Results show that acetic acid is not a good ap-proximation of a real aqueous phase of upgraded bio oil fraction. The study concludes with an analysis on the energetic efficiency, showing that its maximum is presented at lower temperatures than the maximum yield, due to the thermal requirements of preheating.Fil: Maidana, Yanina Paola. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Izurieta, Eduardo Miguel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Casoni, Andrés Iván. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química; ArgentinaFil: Volpe, María Alicia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química; ArgentinaFil: Lopez, Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Pedernera, Marisa Noemi. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; Argentin

Anaerobic co-digestion of rabbit manure and sorghum crops in a bench-scale biodigester

Any type of biomass can be used as substrate for biogas production, but the performance of the biodigestion depends on the composition of the feed, and no direct extrapolation of the yield of the process from one substrate to another can be made. In this work, the performance of a bench-scale anaerobic biodigester of 93 L installed at ambient conditions is studied. The biodigester was set up in a region where temperature varies significantly during the year, and was operated under semi-batch conditions with non-thermal control for 16 months with a feed of rabbit manure and ground sorghum grains. To our knowledge, this is the first time the co-digestion of rabbit manure with sorghum grains is considered. To evaluate the biodigestion performance, critical operational variables (pH, temperature, biogas flowrate) were monitored, and composition of substrate, digestate and produced biogas was determined. Moreover, the following variables were quantified: (a) the theoretical methane potential, (b) the specific methane yield and (c) the degree of degradation of the substrate. A 1-D non-stationary model was formulated and validated with experimental data in order to analyze, in a theoretical form, the impact of incorporating thermal insulation to the unit. The results show that is it possible to produce biogas in a bench-scale biodigester, with a novel feed of rabbit manure and ground sorghum grains, in a region with significant temperature changes along the year. Moreover, it is shown that the 1-D model constitutes a useful tool for the design or improvement of biodigesters regarding the insulation system and the warming policies.Fil: Adrover, María Esperanza. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Cotabarren, Ivana María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Madies, Ezequiel. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Rayes, Manuel. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez Reartes, Sabrina Belen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Pedernera, Marisa Noemi. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; Argentin

Dynamics and control of a radial-flow ammonia synthesis reactor

The steady- and non steady-state simulation of an industrial ammonia converter is presented. The reactor includes two adiabatic radial-flow catalyst beds in series. An interbed (gas-gas) heat exchanger is used to preheat the feed stream. The steady-state results showed good agreement with plant data. The influence of different disturbances (feed composition and temperature, reactor pressure) on the dynamic evolution of the main variables is analysed. The open-loop and closed-loop operation is compared from the standpoint of the reactor stability. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.Fil: Schbib, Noemi Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Pedernera, Marisa Noemi. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Borio, Daniel Oscar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentin

Study of a thermally integrated parallel plates reactor for hydrogen production

This paper deals with the study of the integration of ethanol steam reforming and ethanol combustion in a parallel plates reactor aiming a hydrogen production of 1 kW th equivalent. The study was performed by means of a mathematical model of a non-adiabatic reactor and the associated heat exchangers used for preheating purposes. Focus is given here to the influence of the insulation of the reactor and heat exchangers, the fuel concentration, fuel distribution policy to the reactor, and reforming flowrate. Thermal coupling between combustion and reforming of ethanol in terms of energetic integration is feasible and an adequate behavior of the reactor and the heat exchangers is predicted. The importance of heat losses to the environment is evidenced since they represent about 35–50% of the heat released by the combustion. Ranges of ethanol fuel concentration (0.6–2.0% of ethanol fuel) and distribution (1 or 2 feed ports), and ethanol reforming load (0.37–0.63 kg/h) were studied to find windows for these variables where a satisfactory operation is possible.Fil: Izurieta, Eduardo Miguel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Pedernera, Marisa Noemi. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Lopez, Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentin

Oxygen feeding strategies for methane ATR

The performance of different reactor designs for methane autothermal reforming (ATR) with diverse options of O2 feeding is comparatively explored. The designs under consideration include a single bed reactor with O2 feed at the inlet, multibed reactors in series with inter-bed oxygen injection, and a multitubular membrane reactor with O2 feeding through the porous wall. The distribution of O2 leads to low O2 concentrations in the reaction mixture and less severe thermal conditions. The evolution of methane reforming and combustion reactions proceeds in parallel due to a suitable degree of reduction of the Ni catalyst. Particularly, the membrane reactor can produce H2 in a more distributed way along the reactor. The leakage of O2 at the membrane reactor outlet can be prevented with a final section of a non-porous wall. The modified membrane reactor demonstrates flexibility to carry out the methane ATR with lower temperatures without deterioration of H2 yield.Fil: Rodríguez, M. L.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química; ArgentinaFil: Pedernera, Marisa Noemi. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Borio, Daniel Oscar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentin