A Techno-Economic Sensitivity Approach for Development of a Palm-based Biorefineries in Colombia
Romero-Perez, J.C.
Vergara-Echeverry, L.A.
Peralta-Ruiz, Y.Y.
Gonzalez-Delgado, A.D.
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How to Cite

Romero-Perez J., Vergara-Echeverry L., Peralta-Ruiz Y., Gonzalez-Delgado A., 2017, A Techno-Economic Sensitivity Approach for Development of a Palm-based Biorefineries in Colombia, Chemical Engineering Transactions, 57, 13-18.
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Abstract

Colombia is the fourth global producer of palm oil and, according to the national agenda of R+D, solving the needs of palm oil production chain is a high priority for Colombian government; for this reason, application of biorefinery concept can represent the solution. In this work, an approach based on economic evaluation, techno-economic sensitivity analysis and economic indicators was used for the development of a biorefinery based on the lineal palm oil production chain in order quantify the economic improvements of biorefinery concept implementation. Results showed that for a processing capacity of 240,000 tons per year of palm bunch with a plant life of 15 years, economic indicators are improved using the biorefinery concept due to selling price of all products, however, both palm oil plant and biorefinery present a strong sensitivity to raw material costs with a break-even price of 125 and 155 US$/t, respectively. In addition, operating costs have a critical value in 146 and 170 US$/t of palm fruit for palm oil plant and biorefinery, after this cost a low increase of NVOC can increase PBP in decades.
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