Modeling the steam explosion process for chicken feathers
A computational approach is proposed for modeling the batch steam explosion of chicken feathers, with the aim of supporting process analysis and optimization as well as scale-up-oriented studies. The model integrates Aspen Plus process simulation with previously developed first-principles methods, t...
| Autores: | , , , , |
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| Tipo de recurso: | artículo |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2026 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Universidad Autónoma de Madrid |
| Repositorio: | Biblos-e Archivo. Repositorio Institucional de la UAM |
| Idioma: | inglés |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:dnet:biblosearchi::0838b0e3487408a35b486cd0c2fef130 |
| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/10486/765080 https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109449 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Chicken feathers Steam explosion Process modeling Energy requirements Disulfide bonds cleavage Química |
| Sumario: | A computational approach is proposed for modeling the batch steam explosion of chicken feathers, with the aim of supporting process analysis and optimization as well as scale-up-oriented studies. The model integrates Aspen Plus process simulation with previously developed first-principles methods, theoretical quantum chemical insights, and empirical regressions. Process effectiveness and energy consumption are selected as key output variables, quantified through the fraction of disulfide bonds disrupted during the explosion and the associated vapor requirements, respectively. Despite incorporating some simplified assumptions and being subject to a degree of uncertainty, the proposed model provides a coherent and integrated representation of the process and captures key trends reported in previous experimental and theoretical studies on the steam explosion of different biomasses. Here, the model is applied to perform targeted process analyses and to identify operating conditions that optimize selected process responses, with the results highlighting the influence of model nonlinearity and the optimization algorithm on the determination of optimal conditions. Given its scope, the model is primarily suitable for conceptual process design and early-stage basic engineering applications. Thus, the proposal may serve as a reference and a stimulus for future theoretical and experimental developments that support its continued improvement. Additionally, the kinetic analysis performed enables a reassessment of the severity factor formulation and allows estimation of the activation energy, which is found to be consistent with values reported for the dissolution and regeneration of keratin from chicken feathers using deep eutectic solvents, thereby indicating that the associated kinetic mechanisms share common features |
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