Application of Stochastic Simulation Techniques in the Analysis of a Biodiesel Production Plant

The use of the simulation results can be limited due to the uncertainties associated with the input variables and parameters of the actual process. In this context, the main objective of this study was the use of stochastic optimization techniques in the analysis of a biodiesel production process in relation to the uncertainties involved. The stochastic simulation procedures were applied associated with Hysys process simulator. The characterization of the system behavior before the uncertainties was performed using a set of simulations, where in each, the values of one or more input variables/parameters were randomly chosen according to an appropriate probability density function. The studied cases were: the disturbance of the vacuum system pressure drop in the purification step and the influence of changes in the molar ratio of the reactants on the yield of the reaction. In conclusion it could be seen that the stochastic analysis helped to choose the best simulation tracks to the input variables/parameters studied, since it helps to know the probabilities of the proposed conditions do not meet specifications.