Abstract

DIAZ, Gisela F.  and  PAZ, Dora. Technical and economic evaluation of a gasification plant of residual biomass of the lemon cultivation for the energy supply of a lemon company in Tucumán. Rev. ind. agric. Tucumán [online]. 2017, vol.94, n.2, pp.33-45. ISSN 1851-3018.

The citrus industry is of great importance in Tucumán. In the lemon processing, peel drying has the highest consumption of natural gas. This fuel comes into deficit at harvest time. Large amounts of biomass waste are generated from lemon cultivation, which is not being exploited. Gasification is a thermochemical conversion process of a solid or liquid fuel into a gas by incomplete combustion. The aim of this study is to carry out a theoretical analysis, evaluating technically and economically a gasification plant of biomass residues from lemon harvest. The resultant gas of the gasification plant supply energy to the lemon peel drying of a 50 t/h factory located in Lules (Tucumán, Argentina). This article presents the first part of the work: the technical analysis. Availability of residual biomass was analyzed, and energy demand and processing of the raw material were determined. As a result, two biomass logistics centers of 1.3 hectares each are determined, with a total capacity of 8,639 t / month of biomass with 50% humidity. The gasification plant attached to the factory process 3,960 kg / h of chips at 15% moisture, with a generation of 9,900 Nm3 / h of lean gas. Sizing of the rotary dryer chip, which is heat integrated with peel driers, results in a diameter of 3 m being 11.8 m long. In conclusion, from the technical point of view, the project is viable. The residual biomass obtained by the citrus activity exceeds the requirements of the gasification plant. This can generate enough lean gas to supply drying and it represents savings for 1,100 Nm3 / h of natural gas.

Keywords : lean gas; lemon pruning; tree renewal; biomass logistics centers.