KOZHIKODE
: In what could provide a boost to the biofuel production in the country, researchers from
Christ College
, Irinjalakuda, have invented an eco-friendly and cost- efficient method to remove water from
ethanol
and other organic solvents.
Researchers say the energy-efficient method could bring down the prices of ethanol production because now a significant cost involved in fuel ethanol production is for removing water from ethanol to make it 100% pure.
The research team from the chemistry department of Christ College led by V T Joy, assistant professor and head of the department, and two students,
Gopika K N
and
Jessiya Joy
, have invented a novel process for drying ethanol.
Joy said the method uses an adsorbent that selectively absorbs water efficiently, producing almost 100% ethanol.
A patent application has been filed for the invention which works with many other organic solvents such as diethyl ether, acetone, toluene and other alcohols.
He said the main advantage of the new method is that material used for absorbing water is inexpensive and environmentally friendly, and material after water absorption can be regenerated by heating.
Unlike gasoline, pure ethanol is nontoxic and biodegradable and ethanol-gasoline mixtures burn cleaner. But to be used as a fuel and for blending with gasoline the ethanol needs to be scrupulously dry (~99.5% or more) and this final process of drying up the alcohol has been energy intensive and expensive.
Bio ethanol can be produced by fermentation of sugar or starch from feedstocks, including sugar cane, corn grains, agricultural wastes, forestry wastes, municipal wastes and livestock manure. In India, ethanol production is mainly produced using sugar-cane molasses, a byproduct of sugar manufacturing in India
Joy said currently four major methods are used in industry for drying alcohol: extractive distillation, azeotropic distillation, adsorption with molecular sieves and membrane vapour permeation. But all these methods have the drawbacks of high cost of raw materials and energy-intensive processes.
He said though there are other methods for removing water from organic solvents using chemicals, they are also plagued with limitations such as production of chemical waste, use of expensive or hazardous substances and longer process times.
“Our invention will be a significant step forward towards achieving a CO2 neutral fuel economy and towards achieving energy independence. Since ethanol can be produced and dried locally using this method, huge costs towards transportation of fuels currently incurred can be avoided,” Joy said.
Start a Conversation
Post comment