Session: 16-01: Poster Presentations

Paper Number: 131093

131093 - Design and Experimental Investigations Ethanol-Water Separator in Local Ethiopian Alcohol Production for Using as an Alternative Energy Source 

Abstract: 

 

Anhydrous ethanol is valued for its strong solvent properties, making it an excellent choice for dissolving a wide range of substances. It's worth noting that the use of ethanol as a fuel and fuel additive has gained attention due to its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels. The aim of this investigation is to assess the energy potential of some locally produced Ethiopian alcohols. The paper focuses on the separation of ethanol and water in the context of local Ethiopian Areki, or alcohol distillation. The process involves design analysis, modeling, and experimental testing of an ethanol-water separator used during distillation. This investigation involves the theoretical design of the ethanol-water separator, developing mathematical and computational models of the separation process to predict its performance, and conducting practical experiments to validate the effectiveness of the designed separator in separating ethanol and water. The separation of ethanol and water is achieved by condensing a portion of the water from the ethanol-water mixture. This condensed water is then returned to the distilling pot using a concentric tube heat exchanger. Locally prepared fermentation products or maize Areki mashes were used for the experimental investigation for this study. An ultraviolet spectrophotometer (UV/Vis) was used to quantify the concentration of ethanol in the samples, and the gross calorific value (GCV) of the alcohol samples was determined experimentally using an oxygen bomb calorimeter (IKA® Model C200 bomb calorimeter). The quantitative analysis of ethanol in the sample was done by preparing an aqueous solution of ethanol to draw by means of an absorbance versus concentration calibration line at a wavelength of 986 nm. Ethanol-water separation was studied at different distillation times (0.5, 1, and 1.5 hours). Maximum ethanol concentrations after experimental separation were found to be 84.6%, 81.8%, and 77.5% within 0.5, 1, and 1.5 hours of distillation, respectively. Ethanol concentrations produced using local distillation apparatus were lower, with maximum values of 49.5%, 41.2%, and 37.7% within the same distillation times. The GCV of locally distilled Areki using a separator ranges from a minimum of 21.77 MJ/kg to a maximum of 24.16 MJ/kg at 1.5 and 0.5 hours of distillation, respectively. While the maximum gross calorific value (GCV) of alcohol produced using local distillation apparatus is found to be 12.95, 10.57, and 9.6 MJ/kg with 0.5, 1, and 1.5 hours of distillation time, respectively. The results suggest that the separation process significantly influenced the ethanol concentration and calorific value of the final product.

 

Keywords: ethanol, areki, Distillation, mask, calorific value

Presenting Author: Mebratu Assaye Mengistu Academia Sinica

Presenting Author Biography: Mebratu Assaye Mengistu, TIGP scholar and PhD candidate, sustainable chemical science and technology program, Institute of Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
Academic background: Bachelor of science in Mechanical engineering in 2015, and Master of science in thermal Engineering in 2018
email: mebriye44@gmail.com.

Authors:

Mebratu Assaye Mengistu Academia Sinica
Muluken Biadgelegn Wollele Academia sinica