Authors : Joseph, James Olushola; Mohammed Usman; Ikenegbu, Ekene; Ahamba, Aguta; Odiase Praise Osamuede; Ntichika, Vincent Chuks; Lazarus Toinpere Seimokumo

Volume/Issue : Volume 7 - 2022, Issue 9 - September

Google Scholar : https://bit.ly/3IIfn9N

Scribd : https://bit.ly/3SfJJWC

DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7117899

Abstract : The numerous uses of Ethylene Glycol both domestically and industrially has made it become an attractive prospect in the chemical industry; especially in cold climates as antifreeze and in plastic production as well as cosmetics. Thus, there is an economic interest to maximize its productivity and minimize the undesirable excesses that comes with its production. Fossil fuel-based ethylene is the main feedstock of the industrial Ethylene Glycol process which we replaced with Biomass in this project and made it a more environment-friendly production route for this much desired chemical. Sugar Bagasse was used to synthesize Ethylene Glycol after exposing its cellulose structure and further catalyzed in a one-pot reaction by a bimetallic mix of 1 percent Ru-W over activated carbon support, the by-product; propylene glycol was minimized and the utility, mass and energy requirement was determined in the HYSYS simulation environment. Economic analysis revealed that usually the payback period for this project is 2 years on the average ceteris paribus, also the feed basis of 100 kmol/h is relatively more attractive given its marginal cost compared to the opportunity cost of capital, the study also shows that feed rate of over 1000 kilogram-mole per hour is not economically rewarding relative to the marginal change in capital cost and net present value.

Keywords : Ethylene Glycol; Cellulose; Hysys; Economic Analysis; Biomass, Environment- Friendly