Estudio de las posibilidades de peletización de la cáscara de cacao y su utilización como biocombustible.
Fecha
2015
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Universidad de Guayaquil, Facultad de Ingeniería Química
Resumen
En Ecuador, hay una constante necesidad de generar energía eléctrica y térmica,
también el calentamiento global causado por el aumento de las emisiones de gases de
efecto invernadero y la búsqueda de independencia energética, ha creado una nueva
industria enfocada en la generación de energía mediante el aprovechamiento de las
fuentes renovables. La biomasa se estableció como la tercera fuente principal para la
producción de electricidad como fuente principal para la generación de energía térmica.
Sin embargo, los problemas relacionados con la baja densidad de los diferentes tipos
de biomasa y la dificultad en la realización y el almacenamiento han provocado la
necesidad de generar sólidos con mayor densidad y dureza más fuerte conocidos como
pellets y briquetas. En este trabajo se desarrolla un análisis de las posibilidades de
peletización de la cáscara de vaina de cacao ecuatoriano y su uso como biocombustible. Se propusieron varias configuraciones de pellets basado en la relación diámetro y longitud. Un montaje experimental se estableció para triturar la cáscara de
cacao a fin de obtener menos de 1,5 mm de tamaño de partícula. A continuación, los
pellets se hicieron utilizando una máquina a pequeña a escala y finalmente se quema
en una cámara de combustión para la evaluación del potencial energético por medio de
la alta temperatura y contenido de cenizas. Por último, la selección de la configuración
más eficiente de la energía de pellets se realiza teniendo en cuenta las normas
internacionales de calidad de pellets. Este proyecto a gran escala representaría un
ahorro de costos en el sector industrial ecuatoriano que lleva más a la reducción de las
emisiones de smog en el medio ambiente por la quema de combustibles fósiles y
también evitaría que la cáscara de la vaina de cacao sea un foco para la propagación
de especies de Phytophthora que es un principal causa de pérdidas económicas en la
industria del cacao.
In Ecuador, there is a constant need to generate electric and thermal energy, also global warming caused by increased emissions of greenhouse gases and the pursuit of energy independence, have created a new industry focused on energy generation by harnessing renewable sources. Biomass is established as the third leading source for producing electricity as the main source for the generation of thermal energy. However, the problems related to the low density of the different types of biomass and the difficulty in carrying and storing have caused the need to generate solids with higher density and stronger hardness known as pellets and briquettes. This paper develops an analysis of the possibilities for pelletizing the Ecuadorian cocoa pod husk and its use as biofuel. Several pellets configurations were proposed based on the diameter and length ratio. An experimental setup was established to crush and screen the cocoa pod husk in order to obtain less than 1.5 mm particle size. Then the pellets were made using a smal l scale pellet machine and finally burned in a combustion chamber for the evaluation of the energy potential by means of the high heat value and ash content. Finally, the selection of the most energy efficient pellet configuration is made taking into consideration international pellet quality standards as well. This large-scale project would represent a cost savings in the Ecuadorian industrial sector leading further to lowering smog emissions into the environment from burning fossil fuels and also it would prevent the cocoa pod husk as a focus for the spread of Phytophthora species which is a main cause of economic losses in the cocoa industry.
In Ecuador, there is a constant need to generate electric and thermal energy, also global warming caused by increased emissions of greenhouse gases and the pursuit of energy independence, have created a new industry focused on energy generation by harnessing renewable sources. Biomass is established as the third leading source for producing electricity as the main source for the generation of thermal energy. However, the problems related to the low density of the different types of biomass and the difficulty in carrying and storing have caused the need to generate solids with higher density and stronger hardness known as pellets and briquettes. This paper develops an analysis of the possibilities for pelletizing the Ecuadorian cocoa pod husk and its use as biofuel. Several pellets configurations were proposed based on the diameter and length ratio. An experimental setup was established to crush and screen the cocoa pod husk in order to obtain less than 1.5 mm particle size. Then the pellets were made using a smal l scale pellet machine and finally burned in a combustion chamber for the evaluation of the energy potential by means of the high heat value and ash content. Finally, the selection of the most energy efficient pellet configuration is made taking into consideration international pellet quality standards as well. This large-scale project would represent a cost savings in the Ecuadorian industrial sector leading further to lowering smog emissions into the environment from burning fossil fuels and also it would prevent the cocoa pod husk as a focus for the spread of Phytophthora species which is a main cause of economic losses in the cocoa industry.
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Palabras clave
Peletización, Cáscara de cacao, Biocombustible