ESTUDIO DE VIABILIDAD Y DISEÑO DE UNA PLANTA DE PRODUCCIÓN DE BIODIESEL A PARTIR DEL ACEITE DE MORINGA OLEÍFERA

Abstract

The increase of the world population and, therefore, energy consumption along with the scarce and finite reserve of fossil fuels as well as the high environmental impact associated with its use, have promoted the existing interest and need to find and utilize alternative energies. Moringa oleifera, is an oleaginous plant of rapid growth and high adaptation to the climate, which is presented as an alternative to the production of biofuels. Its processing into biodiesel allows to enhance the oil-solvent mixture obtained as by-product during the extraction of an active compound present in the seed that is used in water treatment. This work, based on a study of the current energy context and the energetic alternatives to the use of traditional energy sources, designs a facility for the production of biodiesel based on a catalytic process with Moringa oleifera oil as raw material. We have been defined, measured and quantified the necessary stages for the process taking into account current legislation and the characteristics of the product obtained. Finally, the feasibility study of the project to obtain competitive fuel in today's market is discussed.