PRE-DESIGNED OF TRIACETIN (TRIACETYL GLYCEROL) PLANT

Abstract

Biodiesel is one of the alternative energy sources that replace diesel fuel. In addition to biodiesel as the main product, the triglyceride-alcohol transesterification reaction produces a by-product in the form of glycerol. Glycerol is still less processed so that it has a low selling value, therefore it needs to be processed to become a high-value product. Triacetin is one of the by-products of glycerol. Triacetin has many benefits in various industries, both food and non-food. In addition, triacetin is also used as an aroma enhancer, plasticizer, solvent, and fuel additive to reduce engine knocking which results in a higher octane value. In Indonesia, there is no triacetin producer, hence the production and export value of triacetin is completely absent. This triacetin plant is designed with a capacity of 150,000 tons per year. The raw materials used to produce triacetin are glycerol and acetic acid. With the addition of a solid catalyst, amberlyst-15. This plant will be established in 2028 located in Industrial Estate, Pelintung, Medang Kampai, Dumai City, Riau which is operated continuously. The triacetin production process in this plant has three main stages, namely glycerol purification, esterification and product purification. For the glycerol purification stage, crude glycerol is separated from water using a flash separator at 130 o C and 1 atm pressure. Then glycerol with a purity of 96% is stored in a glycerol storage tank. The esterification reaction was carried out in a multitube fixed bed reactor at 105 o C and 1 atm pressure. Furthermore, triacetin was separated from water as a by-product using a decanter at 30 o C and 1 atm pressure. The 99% purity of triacetin is stored in the product holding tank. Utilities required include water, electricity, and diesel fuel. The water used in the utility unit comes from river water around the factory. Which consists of 1,610.24 kg/hour for start-up needs and 1,094.77 kg/hour for continuous needs. Electricity needs come from PLN amounting to 4,786.91 kWh. Then, diesel fuel needs are obtained from PT Pertamina amounting to 4,405.08 liters/day. The legal form of this company is a Limited