Milquez-Sanabria H.A., Mahecha C.A., Fajardo Castellanos L., Malagón-Romero D.H., 2026, Exergonomic Evaluation of Conceptual Design of a Pyrolysis Plant for Coffee Residues in Colombia, Chemical Engineering Transactions, 125, 529-534.
Oil refining advances have been the focus of technological innovation, but other technologies that require research to enhance their development. Among these are pyrolysis processes which generate gases and liquids with high energy value and solid waste with beneficial properties for soils. Aim of this paper was rapid pyrolysis for coffee husks as an alternative energy source. Using Aspen Plus software, the process was simulated to assess its energy efficiency and economic feasibility. Results showed high yields of bio-oil (60.8%) and biogas (24.0%), indicating its potential for industrial-scale production. However, significant investment costs were identified, primarily due to equipment and operational expenses. While the process is technically promising, further research is needed to optimize drying and thermolysis processes to reduce costs and improve efficiency. The study concludes that rapid pyrolysis of coffee husks presents a valuable opportunity for sustainable energy production, but requires additional development for practical implementation.
