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Absorption of ethanol by steam-exploded corn stalk.
1National Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
Bioresource Technology
|September 19, 2008
Summary
This study explores using steam-exploded corn stalk (SECS) to absorb ethanol from fermentation. SECS demonstrates effective ethanol absorption, with potential for reuse as a substrate, reducing waste.
Area of Science:
- Biomass utilization
- Chemical engineering
- Separation processes
Background:
- Ethanol production via fermentation generates dilute solutions requiring efficient separation.
- Low-cost, sustainable absorbents are needed for industrial ethanol recovery.
- Steam-exploded corn stalk (SECS) presents a promising biomass-derived material.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of using steam-exploded corn stalk (SECS) as an absorbent for ethanol recovery.
- To characterize the physical properties of SECS relevant to absorption.
- To investigate parameters influencing SECS ethanol absorption capacity and kinetics.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of SECS physical properties (e.g., specific surface area).
- Experimental study of ethanol absorption from aqueous solutions using SECS.
- Kinetic and isotherm modeling of the absorption process (e.g., diffusion equations, BET equation).
- Comparative analysis of SECS absorptivity with other absorbents.
Main Results:
- SECS possesses a high specific surface area (214 m²/g) and suitable structure for absorption.
- Ethanol absorption kinetics were accurately described by second-order and parabolic diffusion models.
- Absorption isotherms followed an improved BET equation, indicating polymolecular absorption.
- Absorptivity was unaffected by mesh size but decreased with increasing temperature.
- At 30°C and 5% initial ethanol, SECS achieved an absorptivity of 92 mg/g after 5 hours.
Conclusions:
- SECS is a feasible and effective low-cost absorbent for recovering ethanol from fermentation broths.
- The absorption mechanism involves polymolecular layers and capillary phenomena.
- SECS offers a sustainable solution, as inactivated material can be reused for further ethanol production, minimizing waste and pollution.
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