INFLUENCE OF FUSEL OIL COMPONENTS ON THE DISTILLATION OF HYDROUS ETHANOL FUEL (HEF) IN A BENCH COLUMN

AbstractThe components of fusel oil form azeotropes with water, resulting in challenges in obtaining hydrous ethanol fuel (HEF) and increasing investment and operating costs. The aim of this study was to evaluate how the presence of fusel oil affected HEF distillation. Mixtures of ethanol (6.0 to 6.5 % w/w) and water (93.0 to 94 % w/w) containing different concentrations (zero to 0.5 % w/w) of 3-methyl-1-butanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol, propan-1-ol and propan-2-ol were distilled in a laboratory apparatus. Under total reflux conditions, HEF concentrations in compliance with Brazilian legislation s...