Analysis and Cost Estimation of Methanol / Glycerin Distillation Unit Process System

Abstract

An analysis on the process system of a distillation unit was carried out through stages consisting of data collection, computational design and simulation, calculation of the degrees of freedom, economic design criteria assessment, and estimation of cost. The analysis was employed to determine design variables and economical aspects that needed to be considered in the distillation unit design. In this article, field data was obtained from the Biodiesel Plant, PT. Cemerlang Energi Perkasa, Plant 1, Apical Group Dumai, optimized as basis for calculating and assuming certain values or process variables in the preparation of this process system analysis. The degrees of freedom obtained for the distillation column, which has been reduced by the number of variables is C + 2. Through calculation of estimated cost, it is found that total value of fixed capital investment is $ 6,093,147.43 considering cost of main equipment of $ 1,594,230.10 as well as total direct cost value of the methanol/glycerin distillation unit of $ 3,905,863.75. Cost of the process operation is estimated at $ 234,615,524.6 with minimum product price of glycerin $ 3.39/lb. It is hoped that through this analysis, construction of distillation units, especially methanol/glycerin separation, can be well arranged and optimized.