scholarly journals Computer-Aided Framework for the Design of Optimal Bio-Oil/Solvent Blend with Economic Considerations

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 2159
Author(s):  
Jia Wen Chong ◽  
Lik Yin Ng ◽  
Omar Anas Aboagwa ◽  
Suchithra Thangalazhy-Gopakumar ◽  
Kasturi Muthoosamy ◽  
...  

A major obstacle in utilising pyrolysis bio-oil as biofuel is its relatively low heating value, high viscosity, and non-homogeneity. Solvent addition is a simple yet practical approach in upgrading pyrolysis bio-oil. However, most solvents are often manufactured as specialty chemicals, and thus, this leads to a high production cost of solvents. It is crucial for the designed solvent-oil blend to achieve both fuel functionality and economic targets to be competitive with the conventional diesel fuel. Hence, the objective of this work is to generate feasible solvent candidates by solving this multi-objective optimisation (MOO) problem via a computer-aided molecular design (CAMD) approach. Initially, an optimisation model was developed to identify potential solvents that satisfied the predefined targeted properties. Next, a MOO model was developed via a fuzzy optimisation approach to identify the trade-off between profitability and heating value of the solvent-oil blend. A pricing model was employed to estimate the profitability of the solvent-oil blend. The production of bio-oil in a pyrolysis plant was used to illustrate the applicability of the pricing model. Lastly, phase stability analysis was conducted to ensure the stability and miscibility of the solvent-oil blend. With the developed framework, a promising and cost-effective solvent-oil blend can be generated while displaying optimal biofuel properties.

2019 ◽  
Vol 123 ◽  
pp. 257-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angel Xin Yee Mah ◽  
Hon Huin Chin ◽  
Jie Qi Neoh ◽  
Omar Anas Aboagwa ◽  
Suchithra Thangalazhy-Gopakumar ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Hon Huin Chin ◽  
Angel Xin Yee Mah ◽  
Jie Qi Neoh ◽  
Omar Anas Aboagwa ◽  
Suchithra Thangalazhy-Gopakumar ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
pp. 152808372097134
Author(s):  
Sherif M Youssef ◽  
M Megahed ◽  
Soliman S Ali-Eldin ◽  
MA Agwa

Vacuum resin infusion (VRI) is a promising technique for manufacturing complicated structural laminates. This high viscosity of nanofilled resin increases the filling time and leads to an incomplete mold filling. The mold filling time can be reduced either by making the fiber dimensions smaller than the mold (gaps around the fibers) or by adding ethanol to nanofilled epoxy. However, ethanol addition influences the mechanical properties of composite laminates. In this study, different amounts of ethanol (0.5 wt. % and 1 wt. %) were used as a diluent to both neat epoxy and epoxy filled with (0.25 wt. %) of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles. From results, it was found that ethanol addition saves the time for neat and nanofilled epoxy by 47.1% and 24.1%, respectively. It was found that adding 0.5 wt. % of ethanol to 0.25wt. % of TiO2 nanoparticles (GT0.25E0.5) enhances the tensile and flexural strength by 30.8% and 55.9%, respectively compared with neat specimens. Furthermore, the tensile and flexural moduli increased by 62% and 72.3%, respectively. Furthermore, the mold filling time was investigated experimentally and validated numerically using ANSYS FLUENT software. The mold filling time prediction using ANSYS FLUENT can be used to avoid resin gelation before the incomplete mold filling and thus can be considered a cost-effective methodology. The results showed that the gaps around the fibers reduce the time by 178% without affecting the mechanical properties.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rubén González ◽  
Judith González ◽  
José G. Rosas ◽  
Richard Smith ◽  
Xiomar Gómez

Anaerobic digestion is an established technological option for the treatment of agricultural residues and livestock wastes beneficially producing renewable energy and digestate as biofertilizer. This technology also has significant potential for becoming an essential component of biorefineries for valorizing lignocellulosic biomass due to its great versatility in assimilating a wide spectrum of carbonaceous materials. The integration of anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis of its digestates for enhanced waste treatment was studied. A theoretical analysis was performed for three scenarios based on the thermal needs of the process: The treatment of swine manure (scenario 1), co-digestion with crop wastes (scenario 2), and addition of residual glycerine (scenario 3). The selected plant design basis was to produce biochar and electricity via combined heat and power units. For electricity production, the best performing scenario was scenario 3 (producing three times more electricity than scenario 1), with scenario 2 resulting in the highest production of biochar (double the biochar production and 1.7 times more electricity than scenario 1), but being highly penalized by the great thermal demand associated with digestate dewatering. Sensitivity analysis was performed using a central composite design, predominantly to evaluate the bio-oil yield and its high heating value, as well as digestate dewatering. Results demonstrated the effect of these parameters on electricity production and on the global thermal demand of the plant. The main significant factor was the solid content attained in the dewatering process, which excessively penalized the global process for values lower than 25% TS.


2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 335-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cars Hommes ◽  
Tatiana Kiseleva ◽  
Yuri Kuznetsov ◽  
Miroslav Verbic

We investigate the effects of memory on the stability of evolutionary selection dynamics based on a multinomial logit model in a simple asset pricing model with heterogeneous beliefs. Whether memory is stabilizing or destabilizing depends in general on three key factors: (1) whether or not the weights on past observations are normalized; (2) the ecology or composition of forecasting rules, in particular the average trend extrapolation factor and the spread or diversity in biased forecasts; and (3) whether or not costs for information gathering of economic fundamentals have to be incurred.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-36
Author(s):  
Vahideh Angardi ◽  
Ali Ettehadi ◽  
Özgün Yücel

Abstract Effective separation of water and oil dispersions is considered a critical step in the determination of technical and economic success in the petroleum industry over the years. Moreover, a deeper understanding of the emulsification process and different affected parameters is essential for cost-effective oil production, transportation, and downstream processing. Numerous studies conducted on the concept of dispersion characterization indicate the importance of this concept, which deserves attention by the scientific community. Therefore, a comprehensive review study with critical analysis on significant concepts will help readers follow them easily. This study is a comprehensive review of the concept of dispersion characterization and conducted studies recently published. The main purposes of this review are to 1) Highlight flaws, 2) Outline gaps and weaknesses, 3) Address conflicts, 4) Prevent duplication of effort, 5) List factors affecting dispersion. It was found that the separation efficiency and stability of dispersions are affected by different chemical and physical factors. Factors affecting the stability of the emulsions have been studied in detail and will help to look for the right action to ensure stable emulsions. In addition, methods of ensuring stability, especially coalescence are highlighted, and coalescence mathematical explanations of phenomena are presented.


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