Abstract

VELASQUEZ, Héctor Iván; RUIZ, Angela Adriana  and  DE OLIVEIRA JUNIOR, Silvio. Energy and exergy analysis of ethanol production process from banana fruit. Rev.fac.ing.univ. Antioquia [online]. 2010, n.51, pp.87-96. ISSN 0120-6230.

An alternative for ethanol production, is the use of vegetable waste, such as excess of banana production, that are evaluated in 2,400,000 t/year, which includes: residual banana fruit and lignocellulosic material. This paper analyzes the energetic and exergetic behavior to carry the process developed at laboratory scale to a plant processing of banana for the ethanol production, involving: growing and transport of the vegetable material, hydrolysis of banana fruit, sugar fermentation, ethanol distillation and utility plant. Finally, energy and exergy indicators are obtained. The results show a positive energy balance when banana fruit is used for ethanol production, but some process modification must be done looking for improving the exergetic efficiency in ethanol production.

Keywords : Hydrolysis; banana; ethanol; synthesis process; net energy; exergy analysis.

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