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Iterative Lumping Approach for representing Lipid Feedstocks in Fatty Acid Distillation Simulation and Optimization
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  • Pieter Nachtergaele,
  • Tobias De Somer,
  • Bastiaan Gelaude,
  • Joël Hogie,
  • Joris Thybaut,
  • Steven De Meester,
  • David Drijvers,
  • Jo Dewulf
Pieter Nachtergaele
Ghent University

Corresponding Author:pieter.nachtergaele@ugent.be

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Tobias De Somer
Ghent University
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Bastiaan Gelaude
Ghent University
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Joël Hogie
Ghent University
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Joris Thybaut
Ghent University
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Steven De Meester
Ghent University
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David Drijvers
Oleon NV
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Jo Dewulf
Ghent University
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Abstract

The complexity of lipid feedstocks and the lack of data on physical properties hinder the simulation of oleochemical processing units. In this work, an iterative lumping approach is proposed to define an adequate number of key components such that diversification between lipid feedstocks becomes possible, while keeping the determination of physical properties as required for process modelling manageable. As a case study, the iterative lumping approach is used for simulation and optimization of a fatty acid distillation plant. For predicting vapour-liquid equilibria of fatty acids, the best results were acquired using the property method UNIQ-HOC. Using the iterative lumping approach, 11 key components were selected to represent the feedstock. The process model properly predicts the product composition, yield, purity and heat duty. The most important process parameters are found to be side-reflux-ratio, reboiler-outlet-temperature and heat-duty of the pitch-distiller. For optimization, an increase of the side-reflux-ratio and reboiler-outlet-temperature, is recommended.
04 Aug 2020Submitted to AIChE Journal
08 Sep 2020Submission Checks Completed
08 Sep 2020Assigned to Editor
15 Sep 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
07 Dec 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Major
19 Jan 20211st Revision Received
23 Jan 2021Submission Checks Completed
23 Jan 2021Assigned to Editor
25 Jan 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
31 Jan 2021Editorial Decision: Accept
04 Feb 2021Published in AIChE Journal. 10.1002/aic.17235