Avaliação da integração energética no processo de biodiesel via transesterificação supercrítica

Abstract

Biodiesel production, a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, faces challenges related to energy efficiency and economic feasibility. In this context, energy integration emerges as an essential strategy to optimize industrial processes, reducing costs and environmental impacts. This study evaluated the energy integration of a biodiesel plant project via supercritical transesterification, employing Pinch Analysis as the main tool. The methodology included process simulation using HYSYS software, thermal stream characterization, and identification of the Pinch point, which enabled the synthesis of optimized heat exchanger networks. The application of energy integration reduced the total heat demand from 217.95 kW to 119.72 kW, representing a savings of nearly 45%. Despite increased capital costs due to the larger heat exchanger areas, the economic analysis demonstrated that the payback period of the integrated plant remained close to the original configuration. Additionally, there was a reduction in cooling water and steam consumption, adding sustainable value to the process and aligning it more closely with market demands. It is concluded that energy integration not only improved process efficiency but also maintained its economic feasibility, reinforcing biodiesel’s potential as a competitive and environmentally responsible alternative.