文摘
Computer simulations of organosolv pulping processes (ethanol-water and ethylene glycol-water mixtures)using commercial simulation software (ASPEN PLUS) have been developed in order to design the processand to establish its key points (product and byproduct mass flow balances, energy analysis, and solvent recoverydegree) as well as to analyze operation conditions. Laboratory experiments, in which a deciduous wood calledleucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) was used as raw material, were carried out to obtain input data for thesimulation. The proposed process flow sheets allow the recovery and recycling of a high percentage of usedsolvents (97 wt % ethanol and 88 wt % ethylene glycol), which represent a reduction of 66 and 59 wt % offresh solvent input for ethanol and ethylene glycol, respectively.