Stochastic simulation of supercritical fluid extraction processes

• Main Authors: F. T. Mizutani, A. L. H. Costa, F. L. P. Pessoa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazilian Society of Chemical Engineering 2000-09-01
• Series: Brazilian Journal of Chemical Engineering
• Subjects: stochastic simulation; supercritical fluid; extraction
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0104-66322000000300006

Process simulation involves the evaluation of output variables by the specification of input variables and process parameters. However, in a real process, input data and parameters cannot be known without uncertainty. This fact may limit the utilization of simulation results to predict plant behavior. In order to achieve a more realistic analysis, the procedure of stochastic simulation can be conducted. This technique is based on a large set of simulation runs where input variables and parameters are randomly selected according to adequate probability density functions. The objective of this work is to illustrate the application of a stochastic simulation procedure to the process of fractionation of orange essential oil, using supercritical carbon dioxide in a multistage extraction column. Analysis of the proposed example demonstrates the importance of the stochastic simulation to develop more reliable designs and operating conditions for a supercritical fluid extraction process.