Republic of the Philippines

Eastern Visayas State University

Tacloban City

Production of Ethanol from Tambo Grass

(Phragmites australis) Industrial Plant

In partial fulfillment
in ChE 523
Plant Design Subject

Bacuata, Ryan C.
Ocaa, Noel Daniel A.
BSChE 5A

Engr. Juvyneil Cartel

(Instructor)

Chapter I
1.1 Project background and history
Philippines have been tagged many times as a third world country. But in its current
status it cannot be ignored that our country has matured into a booming industrial market. Yet the
common issue in the country will still continue to arise such as unemployment, population
increase, continuity of price hikes for transportation and most of all for the other daily needs.
Alongside with this price hikes for transportation in our country today, the proponents
with this proposed project of producing ethanol from abundant Phragmites may help solve the
increasing demand for energy in the country. Thus, this plant design has primordial significance
to the investors that would like to engage and invest on the local production of ethanol for
commercial purposes that may help produce cheaper yet effective ethanol from other source. The
production of ethanol, likewise, has importance to the fuel consumers who may wish to divert
from the use of oil fuel to ethanol fuel.
The production of ethanol has series of steps involved. The following steps, first is the
Preparation of raw material which the raw material will be gathered and cut into small pieces.
Second step is drying of the raw material. The third step is Pre-treatment of the raw material, or
the physical or chemical conversion of the raw material to a hydrolysable substrate will follow.
Next is neutralization. After filtration, acid hydrolysis, the enzymatic reaction that converts the
starch or cellulose to sugars will follow. Next, the samples will undergo second neutralization
process. Next is the detoxification or the physiological or medicinal removal of toxic substances.
Next process is the fermentation and during the fermentation process typically yeast is used to
convert sugar to ethyl alcohol. After fermentation, the last step which is distillation will follow.

Color
Odor
TasteBoiling PointMelting PointFlash PointSolubility-

Physical Properties of Ethanol

Clear, colorless, very mobile liquid
Mild, rather pleasant; like wine or whiskey
burning
78.29 deg C
-114.14 deg C
55 Deg F (13 deg c) (closed cup)
Miscible with ethyl ether, acetone, chloroform; soluble in benzene

DensityVapor DensityVapor PressureLogPAuto-IgnitionViscosityHeat of combustionHeat

of

0.7893 g/cu cm at 20 deg C

1.59 (Air = 1)
59.3 mm Hg at 25 deg C /Extrapolated/
log Kow = -0.31
685 DEG F (363 DEG C)
1.074 mPa.s at 20 deg C
1336.8 kJ/mol at 25 deg C
42.32 kJ/mol at 25 deg C

vaporizationSurface TensionIonicityOdor ThresholdpKaDissociation

21.97 mN/m at 25 deg C

10.47 eV
10 PPM
15.9 (at 25 C)
pKa = 15.9 at 25 deg C

ConstantsFigure 1. Physical Properties of Ethanol

(http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/702#section=Odor)

Chemical Properties of Ethanol

Molecular Weight
46.06844 g/mol
Molecular Formula
C2H6O
XLogP3
-0.1
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count
1
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count
1
Rotatable Bond Count
0
Exact Mass
46.041865 g/mol
Monoisotopic Mass
46.041865 g/mol
Topological Polar Surface Area
20.2 A^2
Heavy Atom Count
3
Formal Charge
0
Complexity
2.8
Isotope Atom Count
0
Defined Atom Stereocenter Count
0
Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count
0
Defined Bond Stereocenter Count
0
Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count
0
Covalently-Bonded Unit Count
1
Figure 2. Chemical Properties of Ethanol
(http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/702#section=Odor)

Phase behavior
Triple point

150 K (123 C), 0.00043 Pa

Critical point

514 K (241 C), 63 bar

Std enthalpy change of fusion, fusHo

+4.9 kJ/mol

Std entropy change of fusion, fusSo

+31 J/(molK)

Std enthalpy change of vaporization, vapHo

+38.56 kJ/mol

Std entropy change of vaporization, vapSo

109.67 J/(molK)

Molal freezing point constant

1.99 C kg/mol
Solid properties

Std enthalpy change of formation, fHosolid

277.7 kJ/mol

Standard molar entropy, Sosolid

160.7 J/(mol K)[18]

Heat capacity, cp

111.46 J/(mol K) [18]

Liquid properties

Std enthalpy change of formation, fHoliquid

277.38 kJ/mol

Standard molar entropy, Soliquid

159.9 J/(mol K)

Enthalpy of combustion, cHo

1370.7 kJ/mol

Heat capacity, cp

112.4 J/(mol K)

Figure 3. Thermodynamic Properties of Ethanol (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ethanol_(data_page)

Phragmites australis, common reed, commonly forms extensive stands (known as reed
beds), which may be as much as 1 square kilometer (0.39 sq. mi) or more in extent. Where
conditions are suitable it can spread at 5 meters (16 ft.) or more per year by horizontal runners,
which put down roots at regular intervals. It can grow in damp ground, in standing water up to 1
metre (3 ft 3 in) or so deep, or even as a floating mat. The erect stems grow to 26 meters (6 ft 7
in19 ft 8 in) tall, with the tallest plants growing in areas with hot summers and fertile growing

conditions. The leaves are long for a grass, 2050 centimeters (7.920 in) and 23 centimeters
(0.791.2 in) broad. The flowers are produced in late summer in a dense, dark purple panicle,
about 2050 cm long. Later the numerous long, narrow, sharp pointed spikelets appear greyer
due to the growth of long, silky hairs. It is a halophyte, especially common in alkaline habitats,
and it also tolerates brackish water, and so is often found at the upper edges of estuaries and on
other wetlands (such as grazing marsh) which are occasionally inundated by the sea. Common
reed is suppressed where it is grazed regularly by livestock. Under these conditions it either
grows as small shoots within the grassland sward, or it disappears altogether. In Europe, common
reed is rarely invasive, except in damp grasslands where traditional grazing has been abandoned.
(www.stuartxchange.com/Tambo.html)

1.2 Project Proponent

The proponents of this project are Noel Daniel A. Ocaa and Ryan C. Bacuata where
this people are law abiding citizens of the republic of the Philippines. The proponents are
Filipino and take (30 %) of the ownership of the company.

1.3 Proposed Name of the Company

The proposed name of the company is RND ethanol production incorporated named
after the two proponents Ryan C. Bacuata and Noel Daniel A. Ocaa followed by the product
that classifies the Plants production.

1.4 Type of Business Organization

The proponents used partnership as the type of business organization. A partnership
consists of two or more individuals in business together. Partnerships can have a small type
operation or even a large type such as a big legal or accounting firm that have a couple or more
partners. There are many types of partnership like the general partnership, limited partnership,

and limited liability partnership the basic difference is stemming around the degree of personal
liability and management control.

Advantage
There is clear potential for the enhancement of value resulting from two or more
individuals combining strengths. Partnership are relatively easy to form, however, considerable
thought should be put into developing a partnership agreement at the point of formation.
Partnerships may be subjected to fewer regulations than corporations. There is stronger potential
of access to greater amounts of capital. No corporate income taxes. Partnerships declare income
by filing a partnership income tax return. Yet the partnership pays no taxes when this partnership
tax return is filed. Rather, the individual partners declare their pro-rata share of the net income of
the partnership on their individual income tax returns and pay taxes at the individual income tax
rate.

Disadvantage
A partnership may end upon the withdrawal or death of a partner. There is a real
possibility of disputes or conflicts between partners which could lead to dissolving the
partnership. This scenario enforces the need of a partnership agreement.

1.5 Location of Head Office and Factory

Coordinates: 118'52"N 12458'45"E

Figure 4. Location of Head Office and Factory
(wikimapia.org/27299367/Tacuranga)