Process Analysis of Shea Butter Solvent Fractionation Using a Generic Systematic Approach

Abstract

The application of lipid feedstocks has expanded across different industries as a result of biobased economy development, consumers, and societal requirements. The need for new and better performing lipid-based processes and products has resulted in extensive research within lipid thermodynamic property modeling. In this work, property models for lipid pure compounds and mixtures are validated by applying them to an industrial process: shea butter solvent fractionation with acetone. The process modeling, simulation, and analysis are performed through a systematic approach consisting of four steps: (1) process data collection, (2) process modeling, design, and simulation, (3) process performance analysis, (4) process hotspot identification and retrofit solutions. The Lipids Database, which includes the required models for pure compounds and mixtures, is used to perform the modeling and simulation. The analysis of the results shows energy saving potential, which is achieved through process heat integration and retrofit of separation units.