Estudio del proceso de obtención de biodiesel utilizando Chlorella sp. como fuente portadora de ácidos grasos
Fecha
2018
Autores
García Quiñones, Mario Octavio
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Editor
Universidad Central ‘‘Marta Abreu’’ de Las Villas. Facultad de Química Farmacia. Departamento de Ingeniería Química
Resumen
El biodiesel es uno de los biocombustibles líquidos que más desarrollo ha alcanzado en los últimos años. El presente trabajo analiza la factibilidad de una planta de producción del mismo a partir de biomasa seca de la microalga Chlorella sp., que se caracteriza por tener aproximadamente un 40% de ácidos grasos. Se estudiaron dos métodos para su obtención, la transesterificación básica utilizando hidróxido de potasio (KOH) como catalizador y la transesterificación con metanol supercrítico. Al realizar los balances de masa se alcanzó mayor producción de biodiesel en el proceso supercrítico, 431,75 kg/d, mientras que, por transesterificación básica se obtuvieron 258,74 kg/d. Estos procesos fueron simulados en el simulador profesional Aspen Hysys utilizando el paquete de propiedades termodinámicas que brinda el mismo. Al evaluar económicamente estas alternativas ninguna resultó factible. Al hacer un análisis de sensibilidad con el precio de biodiesel como producto final, solo se logra la rentabilidad de la planta por transesterificación básica cuando el mismo se comercializa a 21 $/kg, alcanzándose valores de ganancia de 625 174 $/año, un VAN de $ 1 884 711, una TIR de 34,6 % en un período de recuperación de 5,1 años.
Biodiesel is one of the liquid biofuels that has reached more development in recent years. The present work analyzes the feasibility of a production plant from dry biomass of Chlorella sp. Microalgae, which is characterized by approximately 40% fatty acids. Two methods were studied to obtain it, the basic transesterification using potassium hydroxide (KOH) as a catalyst and the transesterification with supercritical methanol. When carrying out mass balances, higher production of biodiesel was achieved in the supercritical process, 431.75 kg / d, while, by basic transesterification, 258.74 kg / d was obtained. These processes were simulated in the professional simulator Aspen Hysys using the package of thermodynamic properties provided by it. When evaluating these alternatives economically, none was feasible, which is in relation to that reported in the literature worldwide. When making a sensitivity analysis with the price of biodiesel as a final product, only the profitability of the plant is achieved by basic transesterification when it is sold at $ 21 / kg, reaching profit values of $ 625,174 / year, a NPV of $ 1 884 711, an IRR of 34.6% in a recovery period of 5.1 years.
Biodiesel is one of the liquid biofuels that has reached more development in recent years. The present work analyzes the feasibility of a production plant from dry biomass of Chlorella sp. Microalgae, which is characterized by approximately 40% fatty acids. Two methods were studied to obtain it, the basic transesterification using potassium hydroxide (KOH) as a catalyst and the transesterification with supercritical methanol. When carrying out mass balances, higher production of biodiesel was achieved in the supercritical process, 431.75 kg / d, while, by basic transesterification, 258.74 kg / d was obtained. These processes were simulated in the professional simulator Aspen Hysys using the package of thermodynamic properties provided by it. When evaluating these alternatives economically, none was feasible, which is in relation to that reported in the literature worldwide. When making a sensitivity analysis with the price of biodiesel as a final product, only the profitability of the plant is achieved by basic transesterification when it is sold at $ 21 / kg, reaching profit values of $ 625,174 / year, a NPV of $ 1 884 711, an IRR of 34.6% in a recovery period of 5.1 years.
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Palabras clave
Industria Química, Chlorella sp., Obtención de Biodiesel, Biocombustibles