P. A. Sanguino-Barajas ¹, A. F. Barajas-Solano ¹, N. A. Urbina-Suarez ¹, A. D. Gonzalez-Delgado ², C. Barajas-Ferreira ³

Affiliations
1 Departamento de Ciencias del Medio Ambiente, Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander UFPS, Cucuta
2 Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Bolivar, CO
3 Department of Chemical Engineering, Industrial University of Santander, Bucaramanga, CO

Abstract

Background: The production of biofuel and high value products from microalgae exhibits difficulties that have been widely studied to develop viable, efficient and economic methods for recovering metabolites. Objectives: This work is focused on evaluating experimental methods to obtain carbohydrates, proteins and lipids by varying process variables (solvent concentration, temperature, biomass/solvent ratio and moisture content). Methods/Analysis: Carbohydrate and proteins were extracted by acid and alkaline hydrolysis to study the effect of biomass moisture on recovery of these metabolites. Lipids were obtained using hexane and methanol-chloroform methods and its quantification was performed by gravimetric analysis. Findings: It was found that 41.96% and 49.77% of carbohydrates were recovered from C. vulgaris using biomass without thermal pretreatment by acid and alkaline hydrolysis, respectively. Regarding to lipid extraction, hexane was used as solvent for recovering 18.22% of lipids from C. vulgaris. In addition, results suggested that dehydrating biomass at 105°C reduces recovery of high value products. Novelty/Improvement: This study proposes a selective method for extracting metabolites, which enhances efficiency of recovery when is carried out under suitable conditions of biomass moisture, time and solvent volume.

Keywords

Carbohydrates, Flocculation, Lipids, Microalgae, Proteins

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C. Tejada-Tovar ¹, A. D. Gonzalez-Delgado ¹, A. Villabona-Ortiz ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Bolivar, CO

Abstract

Background: Now-a-days, adsorption has been recognized as an effective method to remove heavy metals ions in water sources. Objectives: This work is focused on studying removal of chromium (VI) from aqueous solution by orange peel-based adsorbents (OP, OPAC, OP-CaCl₂ and OP-Chitosan). Effects of pH and adsorbent dosage on the adsorption of Cr (VI) were evaluated in order to determine suitable conditions for carrying out adsorption process. Methods/ Analysis: OP-CaCl₂ and OPAC biosorbents were obtained by chemical modification using CaCl₂ and H₃PO₄ acid solution, respectively, while OP-Chitosan was synthetized in acetic acid solution. FT-IR analysis was performed to OP and OP-Chitosan materials. The pH of heavy metal ions solutions was adjusted to3, 4 and 5 and adsorbent dosage was varied in 2, 4 and 6 g/L. Batch experiments were carried out in a magnetic stirrer plate at 30°C using 100 ppm Cr (VI) ions solution. Experimental data of equilibrium were used to calculate adsorption isotherms. Findings: The adsorption of Cr (VI) was found to be maximum for OPAC biosorbent and its highest removal yield (66.8%) was achieved at pH 3 and dosage of 6 g/L. Application of the Langmuir isotherm to OP biosorbent yielded a maximum adsorption capacity of 911.21 mmol/g and the data for OPAC and OP-Chitosan obeyed Freundlich isotherm with KL of 0.25 mmol/g and 8.17 mg/g, respectively. The heterogeneity factor (1/n) indicated that OPAC obeys to cooperative adsorption and OP-Chitosan to chemisorption. Application/Improvement: Compared to the various other adsorbents reported in the literature, the orange peel-based adsorbents in this study show very good promise for practical applicability.

Keywords

Adsorption, Biosorbent, Chromium, Heavy Metal, Removal

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L. Laguna ¹, M. Castro ¹, D. Cassiani ¹, J. Leon-Pulido ², A. D. Gonzalez-Delgado ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Bolivar, CO
2 Chemical Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, EAN University, Bogota, CO
3 Nanomaterials and Computer Aided Process Engineering Research Group (NIPAC), Chemical Engineering Department, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Bolivar, CO

Abstract

Background: The high world production of African palm oil has received major concern because of the amount of residual biomass generated during this process, which can be used to obtain high value products. Objectives: This work is focused on exergy analysis of production process of hydrogen from Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) using direct gasification and PSA purification technology. Methods/Analysis: Physical energy was calculated using thermodynamic properties of the mixture and chemical energy was determined according to exergy of individual components reported in literature. Irreversibility’s were calculated for each process stage providing information about focus of improvement. In addition, sensibility analysis was carried out to identify the effect of heat in gas-solid separation stage on total efficiency of this system. Findings: It was found that 24.66 t/h of EFB can produce 1.138 t/h of hydrogen with a global exergy efficiency of 32.53%. The stages that exhibited highest irreversibility’s were liquid separation and gassolid separation with 54% and 40% of contribution to total destroyed exergy, respectively. Novelty/Improvement: This research offered an improved alternative to produce hydrogen from wastes of African palm oil industry by reducing exergy of waste when PSA technology is implemented instead of conventional purification with selexol.

Keywords

Exergy, Empty Fruit Bunches, Hydrogen, Indirect Gasification, PSA Technology

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A. Herrera-Barros ¹, C. Tejada-Tovar ¹, A. Villabona-Ortiz ¹, A. D. Gonzalez-Delgado ¹, J. Benitez-Monroy ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Bolivar, CO

Abstract

Background: The biosorption technology has been recognized as an attractive alternative for heavy metal ions uptake due to its several advantages as low cost and environmental friendly. Objectives: In this work, a biosorbent was synthesized from African oil palm bagasse biomass and alumina nanoparticles in order to use it for removing cadmium, nickel and chromium from aqueous solution. Methods/Analysis: The synthesis of Al₂O₃ was performed according to sol-gel methodology. The nanoparticles were loaded into biomass using an organic solvent. The resulting material was characterized by FT-IR, SEM and EDX analyses. The point of zero charges as well as ultimate analysis were also carried out for biomass. Findings: The FT-IR analysis revealed absorption bands characteristic of lignocellulosic biomass attributed to carboxyl, hydroxyl and amides functional groups. The presence of O-Al-O and Al-C=O suggested the successful synthesis of biosorbent. The morphology was identified as porous which enhances adsorption process. The EDX analysis confirms that carbon is the major constituent of biosorbent, similar to the results of ultimate analysis of African oil palm bagasse. In addition, removal yield values for cadmium, nickel and chromium of 92.02, 87.06 and 4%, respectively, were achieved at pH=6. Novelty/Improvement: This biosorbent exhibited excellent adsorption properties and could be used efficiently for removing cadmium and nickel water pollutants.

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A. Herrera-Barros ¹, C. Tejada-Tovar ², A. Villabona-Ortíz ², A. D. Gonzalez-Delgado ¹, Y. Villabona- Duran ²

Affiliations
1 Chemical Engineering Department, Nanomaterials and Computer Aided Process Engineering Research Group (NIPAC), University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Bolívar, CO
2 Chemical Engineering Department, Process Design and Biomass Utilization Research Group (IDAB), University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Bolívar, CO

Abstract

Background: The presence of toxic pollutants in water sources has become a major issue worldwide and different technologies have been applied for water treatment such as chemical precipitation, ionic interchange, adsorption, membrane filtration, flocculation, among others. In the last decades, nanotechnology has gain attention in the development of nanomaterials for removing these pollutants. Objectives: In this work, Hg (II) and Cr (II) adsorption process was studied using residual biomass (orange peels, corn cob and oil palm bagasse) modified with Al2O3 nanoparticles. Methods/ Analysis: The biomasses before and after modification were characterized by FT-IR analysis in order to determine main functional groups. In addition, XRD technique was used to calculate average crystallite size and identify both γ and δ alumina. Findings: It was found that suitable conditions for further experiments were particle size of 0.355 mm and pH values of 2 and 6 for Cr (VI) and Hg (II), respectively. For Hg (II) ions, the highest removal yields were 70.89, 34.18 and 54.9 % using OPB-Al₂O₃, CC-Al₂O₃ and OP-Al₂O₃, respectively. For Cr (VI) ions, these values were 48.2, 39.8 and 30.5 % using OPB-Al₂O₃, CC-Al₂O₃ and OP-Al₂O₃, respectively. Novelty/Improvement: These results suggested that OPB-Al₂O₃ can be successfully used in removing Cr (VI) and Hg (II) with higher efficiency than the others synthesized biosorbents.

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A. Herrera-Barros ¹, C. Tejada-Tovar ², A. Villabona-Ortiz ², A. D. Gonzalez-Delgado ¹, J. Alvarez-Calderon ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Chemical Engineering, Nanomaterials and Computer Aided Process Engineering Research Group (NIPAC), University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Bolivar, CO
2 Department of Chemical Engineering, Process Design and Biomass Utilization Research Group (IDAB), University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Bolivar, CO

Abstract

Background: In recent decades, agricultural residues have been widely applied in the development of novel materials in order to obtain high-value products and reduce disposal issues. Objectives: In this work, corn cob residual biomass was used to prepare a biosorbent chemically modified with alumina nanoparticles. Methods/Analysis: The alumina nanoparticles were synthesized by sol-gel methodology and loaded into biomass matrix using an organic solvent. The corn cob biomass was characterized by ultimate analysis, FT-IR technique, Boehm titration and point of zero charges method, which provide information related charge of biomass surface, diversification of functional groups and elemental composition. SEM and EDX analyses were also performed in order to study morphology and composition of the prepared biosorbent. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of pH and particle size on adsorption efficiency and determine suitable conditions for further experimentation. Findings: The physicochemical characterization of corn cob biomass revealed the presence of carboxyl, hydroxyl and amine functional groups in FT-IR spectrum. After loading alumina nanoparticles, this spectrum exhibited characteristic peaks of aluminum bonds suggesting a successful synthesis. In addition, it was observed that pH played an important role in removal yield results, hence, pH=6 were selected as suitable value for performing further experiments. The removal yield for cadmium and nickel ions using chemically modified biomass were 91 and 86%, respectively, results higher than those obtained using biomass. Novelty/Improvement: The modification with Al2O3 nanoparticles enhances adsorption process and could be applied to other sources of biomass.

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M. Ochoa-Garcia ¹, L. Tejeda-Lopez ¹, K. Ojeda-Delgado ¹, A. D. Gonzalez-Delgado ², E. Sanchez-Tuiran ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Chemical Engineering, Process Design and Biomass Utilization Research Group (IDAB), University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Bolivar, CO
2 Department of Chemical Engineering, Nanomaterials and Computer Aided Process Engineering Research Group (NIPAC), University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Bolivar, CO

Abstract

Background: Exergy analysis has been recognized as a feasible approach to evaluate and improve industrial processes by identifying major irreversibilities in a system. Objectives: This work attempts to apply exergy analysis to a third-generation biodiesel production from Chlorella vulgaris microalgae. Methods/Analysis: Commercial industrial process simulation software was used to simulate this process. The specific exergy of many substances were found in literature and the others were calculated using Szargut, Morris & Steward’s equation. A global exergy balance around the system was carried out in order to determine total irreversibilities. The contribution of unit operations and equipment to total irreversibilities was also considered. In addition, exergy efficiency and exergy emission were calculated for each stage (pretreatment, reaction, separation, biodiesel purification, and glycerol treatment). Findings: The global exergy efficiency was calculated in 86% similar to the results reported in other researches. The equipment that contributes the most to total irreversibility was the separation column used to remove alcohol with 487.55 kJ/kg BD. In addition, the highest irreversibilities (5.22 MJ/kg BD) and exergy emission (2.71 MJ/ kg BD) per stage were reached during biodiesel purification. Novelty/Improvement: The application of exergy analysis allowed to identify potential improvements in this case of study, mainly in biodiesel purification stage and process modifications are suggested to reduce total irreversibilities as reutilizing methanol and glycerol streams.

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J. Morales-Carvajal ¹, R. Villabona-Nuncira ¹, A. D. Gonzalez-Delgado ¹, C. Barajas-Ferreira ¹, A. Barajas-Solano ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Chemical Engineering, Industrial University of Santander, Bucaramanga, CO
2 Departamento de ciencias del medio ambiente, Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander UFPS, Cucuta, CO

Abstract

Background: Nowadays, microalgae has been considered as source of valuable products such as astaxanthin, which is a carotenoid with great commercial potential as antioxidant widely used in many industries such as pharmaceutical, cosmetics and health supplement. Objectives: This work was focused on technical-economic pre-feasibility study of hybrid system for cultivation, harvesting and extraction of astaxanthin from H. pluvialis microalgae in five Colombian cities (Barranquilla, Cartagena, Santa Marta, Barrancabermeja and Cúcuta). Methods/Analysis: A hybrid system was purposed based on flat panel + open pond Photo Bioreactor (PBR), in which cell growth is inhibited by increasing radiation. Additional stages as centrifugation, filtration, and drying, milling and supercritical extraction were also implemented. An economic prefeasibility study was applied in order to determine the suitability of locations in terms of NPV, IRR and PP. Findings: It was found that the most feasible location for astaxanthin production is Santa Marta with NPV, IRR and PP of € 5,529,203, 50% and 1.9 years, respectively. Novelty/Improvement: These results suggested that astaxanthin can satisfy national demand of antioxidants by producing it from H. pluvialis microalgae.

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S. Arteaga-Diaz ¹, J. Gonzalez-Diaz ², M. Pajaro-Morales ¹, J. Martinez-Consuegra ³, A. D. Gonzalez-Delgado ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cartagena, Nanomaterials and Computer Aided Process Engineering Research Group (NIPAC), Cartagena, CO
2 Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cartagena, Process Design and Biomass Utilization Research Group (IDAB), Cartagena, CO
3 Corporacion Universitaria Minuto de Dios – UNIMINUTO, Academic Direction, Desarrollo Social y Gerencial Research Group, Barranquilla, CO

Abstract

Background: Vegetable oils have received a great attention to reduce depending on fossil fuels because of its biodegradable, low toxicity and being derived from renewable resources. Palm oil is the most important vegetable oil and it is transformed commercially into numbers of product. Nevertheless, great amount of energy have been wasted in oil production when residues such as palm rachis and palm cake are not used to obtain value-added products. Objectives: In this work, sensibility analysis was performed to palm-based biorefinery in order to evaluate the effect of process variations (stream leaving hydrogen separation stage and considering sludge as products instead of wastes) and exergy efficiency of gasifier on global exergy efficiency. Methods/Analysis: Physical and chemical exergies of process stream were quantified using a robust commercial simulation software. An exergy balance was performed to determine total exergy entering and leaving the system. Findings: The global exergy efficiency was 37.90% for original process, however, when sludge were considered as products, global exergy efficiency was 37.93%, showing a non-significant increase. In addition, exergy efficiency of gasifier did not affect considerably global exergy efficiency and the total exergy of wastes was reduced when stream of selexol leaving separation stage was assumed as product. Novelty/Improvement: These results indicated that exergy efficiency of palm oil; palm kernel oil and hydrogen production could be improved through adding commercial value to selexol wastes.

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