Solvize: indústria de biossolventes

Abstract

The solvent industry is strongly dependent on petrochemical feedstocks, which has stimulated the development of alternative chemical routes based on renewable resources such as ethanol. In this context, the present work proposes the design of Solvize, a sustainable solvent production plant dedicated to manufacturing ethylene and acetic acid from ethanol through intramolecular dehydration and catalytic oxidation, respectively. Located in Linhares–ES, the plant is designed for a production capacity of 40,000 tons per year, supplying approximately 10% of the national market based on import and export projections. The process operates in a single, integrated production line with seasonal operation, ensuring flexibility according to demand and raw-material availability. Equipment sizing and process modeling were conducted using the nonlinear GRG Solver in Excel and the CAPE-OPEN to CAPE-OPEN (version 3.9.0.0) simulation environment. The reactions employ γ-alumina and Pt/Al₂O₃ catalysts, and mass and energy balances follow conservation principles, enabling precise control of inputs and catalyst reuse. Regenerable adsorbents further reinforce the plant’s sustainability and technical feasibility, resulting in product purities close to 99%. Energy integration strategies led to an 84.78% reduction in hot utility demand and complete elimination of cold utilities for ethylene production, while acetic acid production achieved a 96.29% reduction in hot utility consumption and a 69.59% decrease in cold utility requirements. Financial analysis confirmed the project’s economic viability, with an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 41% per year and an estimated payback period of 15 years, demonstrating strong profitability and investment recovery potential.