Computer-aided exergy analysis of a palm based-biorefinery for producing palm oil, kernel oil and hydrogen

摘要

Palm oil is extracted from fruits of African palm (Elaeis guineensis), which has gain attention as raw material for the production of a huge amount of products in food and cosmetic industry. However, wastes of energy in extraction stage has limited its applicability. This work aims on identifying the major exergy sinks (related to higher useful energy losses) through first and second law of thermodynamics in the production process of palm oil, palm kernel oil and hydrogen. Simulation was performed in a commercial process simulation software, in which physical and chemical exergies of the species involved were quantified. The results showed a production rate of 5.07 t/h of palm oil, 0.5078 t / h of palm kernel oil and 6.8263 t/ h of hydrogen, as well as 0.739 t/h of animal feed from 30 t/h of palm bunches. An overall exergy efficiency of 38% was obtained, while the process of hydrogen separation had the lowest efficiency percentage (0.0078%). For increasing overall exergy efficiency of palm refinery, it is proposed a cleaning treatment to condensation streams leaving the sterilizing stage and its use as dilution water for settling stage.