HomeNewsReduced energy usage with bio-based solvent
Rikkert Harink

Reduced energy usage with bio-based solvent

According to University of Twente researchers Prof. Boelo Schuur and Thomas Brouwer, bio-based solvents such as Cyrene™ can be used to aid the transition to a bio-based economy. Large amounts of energy can be saved in separation processes using this solvent, compared with current industry standards. The researchers have published this finding in their article in Green Chemistry.

The researchers claim that Cyrene™, which is obtained from wood, performs better in extractive distillation applications than Sulfolane™, the current standard solvent. It can also replace N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), which needs to be phased out as soon as possible because of its toxicity. Cyrene™ can replace both these solvents without any structural modification to processes or equipment. Also, some applications require far less energy when using Cyrene™. ‘We estimate that we can reduce energy usage by up to 30%’, says Schuur.

This is because much less distillate needs to be fed back into the distillation column with Cyrene™ as the solvent. Distillation involves evaporating a liquid and collecting and cooling the resulting vapour. Some of the condensed vapour has to be fed back in the form of liquid, known as ‘reflux’.

K.W. Wesselink - Schram MSc (Kees)
Science Communication Officer (available Mon-Fri)

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