Mathematical modeling of RDC column in extraction of base oil and computing of the energy saving

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A mathematical modeling approach was used to obtain a simulation model to predict the performance of an industrial rotating disc contactor (RDC) in the extraction of lubricating base oils by furfural. The field data of a lube-oil producing plant was used to validate the model. This model can be used for the parametric study of the RDC column and to investigate the effect of operational data such as solvent and feed temperatures, solvent to feed ratio, and agitation rate on the yield of extraction and on the energy saving value of the extraction. RESULTS:The mathematical modeling of RDC shows good agreement with the plant data with an accuracy of 95% and the model was used to investigate the effect of adding a co-solvent. CONCLUSION: Results show that by using furfural with added 2,2,4 trimethylpentane it is possible to perform the extraction process at a lower process temperature, 363.15 K, compared with 393.15 K using furfural as solvent, and also at a lower 1.3 solvent/feed ratio, compared with 1.5 when furfural alone was used for as the solvent. This process modification leads to saving of 38% of the consumed energy per cubic meter of product in the extraction process. The effect of the rotor speed on aromatic contentUsually industrial RDC towers use a rotor speed between 0 and 12 rpm and using these values, the aromatic content of raffinate wileyonlinelibrary.com/jctb

Toxicity and Biodegradability of Solvents: A Comparative Analysis

“…Every day, large amounts of industrial solvents are used in different industrial plants, [8][9] this fact furthermore shows that the adverse impacts coming from these chemicals should addressed accordingly. Sulfolane and furfural are industrial solvents which are widely exploited in industrial plants all over the world, [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] These solvents have high selective solubility of aromatic components, therefore can be used for aromatic-aliphatic extraction processes. For these solvents, the higher boiling points make the process of regenerating the process solvent challenging.…”