Valuation of cocoa waste through the application of RCF catalytic biorefinery techniques to obtain lignin and bioethanol bioaceite

Lignocellulosic biomass has been recognized for its potential use to obtain high -added chemical and biomaterials, however, technologies for the total use of its main components that are cellulose, helicelulose and lignin, are still in research. In this context, this project proposes the use of cocoa peel biomass for lignin bioaceite production by reaction of reductive catalytic fractionation in soft conditions, using a nickel catalyst to achieve a high degree of ablignification and a high carbohydrate retention in the pulp. Bioaceite can be used as fuel and raw material in obtaining chemicals, however, it should be avoided containing large amounts of water and oxygenated organic compounds of high molecular weight, which is why this research proposes to optimize the reaction through changes in temperature variables, solvent concentration, time and application of ionic fluids such as pretreatment. Additionally, the by -products will be treated through a process of hydrolysis and fermentation, for the production of bioalcohols. The results will be complemented with a mathematical simulation of the fermentation process and finally a study of the supply chain of the products and by -products obtained, achieving a lifting and characterization of information about suppliers of raw material, customers, distributors and production points. In this way, a complete use of the biomass generated by cocoa waste will be achieved, providing options for the manufacture of bio-products.

19th UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PROJECT COMPETITION