Conceptual process design hybrid processes

Ferrandon, M.S., et a1. (2008), The Hybrid Cu-CI Thermochemical Cycle. I. Conceptual Process Design and H2A Cost Analysis. II. Limiting the Formation of CuCl During Hydrolysis , NHA Annual Hydrogen Conference, Sacramento Convention Center, CA, 30 March-3 April. 

The fusel-rich stream leaving the decanter is fed to the fusel sector where the stream is washed with water to recover about 96 % of the incoming ethanol. The resulting water-rich stream is recycled to the hybrid column. To do this, an overall amount of 363 kg/h wash-water and seven separation steps are necessary. The conceptual design of a cross-flow operation is performed using DISTIL, while process simulation is done in Hysys. 

A cost effective design for a bio-ethanol separation plant using conceptual design followed by rigorous simulation is found. The minimum in the operation costs corresponds to a minimum in the steam flow rate of the hybrid column (1600 kg/h). The minimum in steam flow rate can be only explained by the presence of the fusel component, which influences both the energy demand and feasible products of the process. Therefore, designs based on the binary system ethanol-water do not represent the system behaviour in an accurate way. 

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