VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HO CHI MINH CITY HO CHI MINH CITY UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY NGUYEN HOAI NAM SIMULATION OF PRODUCTION PROCESS OF NANOCELLULOSE CRYSTAL FROM RICE STRAW Major: Chemical Engineering Major code: 8520301 MASTER THESIS HO CHI MINH CITY, July 2024 HO CHI MINH CITY UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY – HO CHI MINH CITY NGUYEN HOAI NAM SIMULATION OF PRODUCTION PROCESS OF NANOCELLULOSE CRYSTAL FROM RICE STRAW Major: Chemical Engineering Major code: 8520301 MASTER THESIS HO CHI MINH CITY, July 2024 THIS THESIS IS COMPLETED AT HO CHI MINH CITY UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY – VNU-HCM Supervisor 1: Assoc. Trần Tấn Việt Reviewer 1: Dr. Nguyễn Bùi Hữu Tuấn Reviewer 2: Dr. Nguyễn Thanh Sang This master’s thesis is defended at HCM City University of Technology, VNUHCM City on July 1st, 2024.
Master’s Thesis Committee: 1. Bùi Ngọc Pha - Chairman 2. Nguyễn Bùi Hữu Tuấn - Reviewer 1 3. Nguyễn Thanh Sang - Reviewer 2 4.
Trần Tấn Việt - Committee 5. Phạm Hoàng Huy Phước Lợi - Secretary Approval of the Chair of Master’s Thesis Committee and Dean of the Faculty of Chemical Engineering after the thesis is corrected (If any). CHAIR OF THESIS COMMITTEE DEAN OF FACULTY OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY - HO CHI MINH CITY SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM HO CHI MINH CITY UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Independence – Freedom - Happiness THE TASK SHEET OF MASTER’S THESIS Full name: NGUYỄN HOÀI NAM Student ID: 2070267 Date of birth: 04/05/1997 Place of birth: Vinh Long Major: CHEMICAL ENGINEERING Major ID: 8520301 I. THESIS TITLE (In Vietnames): Mô phỏng quá trình sản xuất nanocellulose từ rơm rạ II.
THESIS TITLE (In English): Simulation of production process of nanocellulose crystal from rice straw III. TASKS AND CONTENTS: - Designed a process for producing nano crystalline cellulose from straw with a feed rate of 100 kg/h. - Evaluated the overall efficiency in the design process and the factors affecting the efficiency in the process using Aspen Plus software. - Provided a comparison between the simulation and experiment report IV.
THESIS START DAY: 01/2024 V. THESIS COMPLETION DAY: 05/2024 VI. Trần Tấn Việt Ho Chi Minh City, date ……… SUPERVISOR HEAD OF DEPARTMENT (Full name and signature) (Full name and signature) DEAN OF FACULTY OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING (Full name and signature) i ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisor, Assoc. Tran Tan Viet, for his guidance and support throughout this research.
His expertise and knowledge in the field of process simulation have been invaluable in helping me develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter and refine my research methodology. Additionally, I would like to thank the staff at the Faculty of Chemical Engineering for their assistance in providing me with access to the necessary resources and facilities required for this research. I also extend my thanks to my colleagues and classmates who have provided me with valuable feedback and insights during this research. Their constructive criticism and encouragement have played a vital role in refining my ideas and developing a more nuanced understanding of the subject matter.
Lastly, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to my family and friends for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout this process. Their love and encouragement have served as a constant source of inspiration and motivation. ii ABSTRACT This study investigates a multi-stage process to produce nanocellulose crystals (CNC) from rice straw, consisting of treatment, alkaline hydrolysis, solid-liquid separation, neutralization, drying, acid hydrolysis, ultrasound dispersion, and freeze-drying to obtain the final product. The process was modeled and simulated using Aspen Plus software, and the results will be verified using kinetic data from the conducted experiments.
In summary, this thesis successfully simulated the cellulose hydrolysis process to produce cellulose nanocrystals from rice straw using Aspen Plus. The simulation included α-cellulose preparation and CNC formation through acid hydrolysis. Using kinetics data from Wang et al., the process showed optimal results at lower temperatures and higher acid concentrations, achieving a peak yield of about 90.32%, closely matching experimental results. The study focuses on the parameters affecting acid hydrolysis to produce crystal nanocellulose from α-cellulose, including sulfuric acid concentration, reaction time, and process temperature.
Through utilizing simulation techniques, the process can be evaluated through experimentation and variation of relevant input values and parameters, ultimately, we can identify the optimal conditions. This approach has the potential to inform a plan that promotes sustainable development while simultaneously increasing economic efficiency. iii TÓM TẮT Nghiên cứu này điều tra một quy trình nhiều giai đoạn để sản xuất tinh thể nanocellulose (CNC) từ rơm rạ, bao gồm xử lý, thủy phân kiềm, tách rắn-lỏng, trung hòa, sấy khô, thủy phân axit, phân tán siêu âm và sấy đông để thu được sản phẩm cuối cùng. Quy trình được mô hình hóa và mô phỏng bằng phần mềm Aspen Plus và kết quả sẽ được xác minh bằng dữ liệu động học từ các thí nghiệm đã tiến hành.
Tóm lại, luận án này đã mô phỏng thành công quá trình thủy phân cellulose để sản xuất tinh thể nanocellulose từ rơm rạ bằng Aspen Plus. Mô phỏng bao gồm chế phẩm α- cellulose và hình thành CNC thông qua thủy phân axit. Sử dụng dữ liệu động học từ Wang và cộng sự, quy trình cho thấy kết quả tối ưu ở nhiệt độ thấp hơn và nồng độ axit cao hơn, đạt được năng suất đỉnh khoảng 90,32%, gần giống với kết quả thực nghiệm. Nghiên cứu tập trung vào các thông số ảnh hưởng đến quá trình thủy phân axit để sản xuất tinh thể nanocellulose từ α-cellulose, bao gồm nồng độ axit sunfuric, thời gian phản ứng và nhiệt độ quy trình.
Thông qua việc sử dụng các kỹ thuật mô phỏng, quá trình có thể được đánh giá thông qua thử nghiệm và thay đổi các giá trị và thông số đầu vào có liên quan, cuối cùng, chúng ta có thể xác định các điều kiện tối ưu. Cách tiếp cận này có tiềm năng cung cấp thông tin cho một kế hoạch thúc đẩy phát triển bền vững đồng thời tăng hiệu quả kinh tế. iv COMMITMENT I hereby declare that this thesis is the result of my own independent work. I have conducted the research and analysis solely by myself without any unauthorized assistance or collaboration.
All sources of information and data used in this thesis have been properly cited and acknowledged to the best of my ability. Furthermore, I affirm that this work adheres to all the requirements and regulations set forth by the university. I have followed the prescribed guidelines and academic standards throughout the entire process of developing this thesis. Every step, from the formulation of the research question to the final write-up, has been carried out with utmost diligence and integrity.
I have ensured that all methodologies and procedures used in this research comply with ethical standards and best practices. Any assistance or guidance received during the course of this work has been acknowledged appropriately, and I have made every effort to avoid any form of academic misconduct. I take full responsibility for the content and conclusions presented herein, and I am prepared to defend the validity and originality of my work before the university’s review committee. v TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
iv TABLE OF CONTENTS. v LIST OF ACRONYMS. viii LIST OF FIGURES. ix LIST OF TABLES.
Research aims and objectives. Scope of the thesis. Outline of the thesis. Overview of raw materials for CNC production.
Overview of crystalline nanocellulose and production process. Production process of crystalline nanocellulose. A notable process simulation study. Aspen Plus software.
SIMULATION OF THE PRODUCTION PROCESS OF CRYSTALLINE NANOCELLULOSE FROM STRAW BIOMASS. Production process of crystalline nanocellulose from straw biomass. Block diagram of the production process. Production process description.
Straw pretreatment cluster. Alkaline hydrolysis cluster. Acid hydrolysis cluster. Components participating in simulation.
Thermodynamic package selection. Establish the reactions. Survey operating parameters in the process with Sensity. Comparison between simulation and experiment results.
Compare the experimental and simulated productivity of 45 wt% acid hydrolysis process. Compare the experimental and simulated productivity of 60 wt% acid hydrolysis process. Compare the experimental and simulated productivity of 45 wt% acid hydrolysis process. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS.
52 viii LIST OF ACRONYMS Cellulose nanocrystalline - nanocellulose CNC, NNC crystal, cellulose nanocrystals CSTR Continuous stirred-tank reactor soln. solution ix LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2. Structure of Lignocellulose fibers [30]. Straw is the main by-product of rice [42].
Different levels of cellulose structure [42]. Polymer structure of cellulose [42]. TEM images of prepared nanocellulose showing size in the Nano dimension [22]. SEM image of cellulose (rod like crystals) [22].
Structure of cellulose fibers [38]. Researched CNC production process by Gu et al [63]. Production process of CNC according to research by Qing et al [24]. Simulation of biochar production process based on slow pyrolysis [67].
Biomass gasification process in fluidized bed reactor [68]. Bioethanol production process from coffee grounds [69]. Block diagram of the production process. Straw pretreatment cluster.
Alkaline hydrolysis cluster. Acid hydrolysis cluster. Equation for separation rate of lignin. Silicon separation rate equation.
Mechanism of hydrolysis of concentrated acids. The kinetics of acid hydrolysis. A complete process simulation. Simulation straw pretreatment cluster.
Simulation of alkaline hydrolysis cluster. Simulation delignification cluster. Rice straw definition. CNCs yield at 45 wt% H2SO4.
CNCs at 60 wt% H2SO4. CNCs yield at 75 wt% H2SO4. Simulation results at 45 wt% acid concentration. Simulation results at 60 wt% acid concentration.
Simulation results at 75 wt% acid concentration. 50 xi LIST OF TABLES Table 2. Main constituents of Lignocellulose [30]. The rice straw component analyzation.
Characterization of nanocellulose crystals from different sources [42]. Companies producing CNC by acid hydrolysis method [62]. Components used in Aspen Plus. Shows the devices used in the simulation and details their use.
Mass balance table. CNCs yield at 45 wt% H2SO4. CNCs yield at 60 wt% H2SO4. CNCs yield at 75 wt% H2SO4.
Comparison table at 45 wt% acid. Comparison table at 60 wt% acid. Comparison table at 75 wt% acid. Introduction Asia countries are well-known as the major exporters of rice where 90% of the rice export volume in the world [1] [2].
Rice plays a vital role in the nutritional value chain and has an irreplaceable role [3]. The main post-harvest agricultural by-product is rice straw, a significant agrarian biomass waste source. For 1-ton rice grain production, the rice straw is released in the agricultural field about 1. The majority of harvested rice straw is burned in the open field because it is a low-cost solution for disposing of the large volume of residue, as well as it acts as the land preparation for the next batch such as tillage, killing weeds.
However, the emissions generated from this process are substantial, significantly affecting the problem of air pollution and global warming. The rice production sector accounts for 10% of agriculture's total greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) [3]. The carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in the burned straw are emitted as CO2-C (57–81%), CO-C (5–9%), CH4-C (0. In addition, nearly 700–4100 mg of methane (CH4) and 19–57 mg of nitrous oxide (N2O) are generated due to the burning of one kilogram of dry rice straw [8] [9].
Additionally, there are harmful components such as gaseous hydrochloric acid (HCl), volatile organic compounds (VOC), carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), dioxins, and furans [10]. Apart from this, rice straw burning is also significantly contributing to suspended particles (coarse dust particles (PM10) and fine particles (PM2.5)) responsible for deteriorating the air quality [11]. These factors cause serious human health problems. Losses of plant nutrients such as sulfur, nitrogen, and potassium, with the percentages of those being approximately 45%, 40%, and 33%, respectively are reported [12] [13].