Process design for obtaining Ethanol using emissions from the Esmeraldas II Thermoelectric Power Plant

Abstract

The objective of this research is to design a process in which carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the Esmeraldas thermoelectric plant (Termoesmeraldas II) are used to obtain a product of interest such as ethanol (C2H5OH) since it is a High energy value liquid used as a component of Ecopaís gasoline. This product is currently obtained through fermentation processes, however, obtaining it through industrial processes allows reducing industrial CO2 emissions through its use to generate a useful compound On May 13, Executive Decree 675 was signed, with which the sale throughout Ecuador of Ecopaís gasoline that contains a percentage of Ethanol from the fermentation of sugar cane. This mixture improves the performance of gasoline and reduces its environmental impact. The Ecopaís gasoline project consists of substituting “EXTRA” gasoline for “Ecopaís E5” gasoline; ecological gasoline that is constituted by a mixture that contains 5% bioethanol, 61% NAO (high octane gasoline) and 34% NBO (low octane gasoline) (Ordoñez, 2016). This project takes emissions from the Termoesmeraldas process as a reference as raw material to theoretically design a process that allows obtaining ethanol from the capture and use of CO2 emissions (CCU). The development of processes of this nature has the potential to contribute to the mitigation of environmental pollution and promote the circular economy.