Fondef Fund for the Promotion of Scientific and Technological

April, 2010. Fue un largo trabajo. Duró casi cinco años, pero según los que participaron del proyecto valió la pena. Yesterday, en las dependencias del Molino Gorbea, se puso en marcha -de manera experimental- la primera planta elaboradora de biodiésel de Chile en base a raps. Source: Austral de Temuco

 

Se trató de un proyecto llevado a cabo de manera conjunta por la Universidad de La Frontera, Molinera Gorbea y Copec. Todo enmarcado en una iniciativa apoyada por Fondef y que tuvo un costo total cercano a los 500 million pesos.

¿El resultado? Una planta que permite transformar el raps (Brassica napus) en biodiésel a través de enzimas y luego obtener el producto final al mezclarlo con diésel convencional.

Today, buena parte de los procesos internos del molino -generación de energía, transporte y procesos- se realizan usando este biodiésel denominado B2, pues está mezclado al 2% con el combustible fósil.

The project manager, Robinson Betancourt, dijo que la idea es que la producción del combustible de origen vegetal se convierta en un aporte para solucionar la demanda energética interna.

It, pues reconoce que en ningún caso resuelve el problema, debido a que se estima que la superficie que se podría sembrar con raps para este fin, sólo alcanza para cubrir el 5% de la demanda nacional de combustibles.

“Tenemos el limitante del territorio. Según el ministerio de Agricultura, se pueden destinar unas 160 mil hectáreas a este tipo de cultivo”, adds.

El biodiésel -a su juicio- must be complemented with other renewables such as wind and solar, together cover at least 20% Matrix.

She told Henry Sabugo, Mill manager Gorbea, now have a supplier with a pool of 17 thousand liters of fuels used for domestic chores.

He added that “This project realizes the potential alternative crop may have, especially in a context of decreasing harmful emissions to the atmosphere”.

The Assistant Manager of Engineering and Operations Copec, Carlos Lonza, explained that looking at the future, biodiesel production has great potential.

“And you have to move in that direction as European countries and even American”..

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

The executive said that this is the first experience of searching for biodiesel Copec. And he said that to the extent that there is a more favorable regulatory framework, mainly related to the price- could move quickly on that plane. That yes, after a series of agreements with farmers to ensure the surface for processing.

 

 

More Information:

Project: Brassica napus USE FOR BIODIESEL PRODUCTION …

 

Project Director Speech at the opening. ROBINSON EUGENIO BETANCOURT ASTETE

 

 

 

Concern for Producing Biodiesel in the Araucania region arises the year 2004, Research motivated by work, I should perform in academic.

 

This concern generated by the relentless pursuit, to guide efforts in the right direction, much to shape the research team, as the search for financial resources to this endeavor.

 

In El. Charles Isaacs, Economics today Seremi our Region, with clear-sighted and deeply involved in their actions with Innovation and Entrepreneurship, I suggest defining specific lines of action, Companies associated immediately with, Regional, National and International.

 

Surge figure two Agricultural Entrepreneurs, Dry Sabugo and Samuel Henry, Entrepreneurs by nature, Milling owners Gorbea, who agree with their disposition, start the search for knowledge and science develop biofuel production, aprovechando la experiencia que poseen como productores de aceite.

 

En los planteamientos inicales del desarrollo de las ideas, entendemos que es de vital importancia, contar con la participación de Empresa del área de los combustibles.

 

Presentado formalmente nuestro proyecto de Innovación al Ingeniero Carlos Lonza, Gerente de Ingeniería de Empresa Copec , a quien una vez más expreso mis agradecimientos, surge el respaldo de la Compañía a nuestro proyecto.

 

Paralelo a nuestra acción, Los biocombustibles, generan una industria en franco desarrollo, tanto por el concepto de seguridad energética como por ser ambientalmente sustentable, transados internacionalmente, por varias naciones, generando mercado de exportación. Este punto es considerado por la Sociedad de Fomento Agrícola, body through some members, offer their willingness to increase production of raps, for this future use

 

In Chile in 2006, emerging concepts such as: "Energy Security Plan, with actions in the short and medium term measures "to diversify the energy matrix in terms of inputs and suppliers, "Achieve a degree of autonomy", "Increase the efficiency of energy emphasizing sustainable development".

 

Note, as European Union countries such as Germany, France, Spain, North America USA and Canada and Latin America Brazil, Argentina, specific policies defined for the production and use of biofuels, what drives us to look at greater length the experiences and results obtained in these Countries. Whereas furthermore Chile, not defined on that date,lines of action in this regard.

 

 

The interest in biofuels worldwide increases progressively. The energy deficit, high dependence on sole supply sources, the steady increase in fossil fuel prices and environmental reasons, play an important role in this trend is expressed globally

 

 

 

No doubt an important support for our work has been that in Chile, with the onset of the problem that generates the rising oil barrel reaching a record high of U.S. $ 145 barrel, starts the search for alternatives to meet : energy security, "Chile should use all available resources", "Diversification and our own sources of energy sources", The problem experienced in our country with the power supply in that period, generate national awareness, the urgent need to find alternatives in renewable energy, which combined can hold on 20% domestic consumption.

 

 

At the Universidad de la Frontera, with the responsibility to take on challenges in the area of ​​applied sciences, to contribute new knowledge to their own development of our region and savvy public competitions existing in our country, open to any group Scientific Research, urges us to generate a line of action.

 

With the Dr. Rodrigo Navia, my partner in Research, and great friend, who give at this time my public acknowledgments; we chose to present our bid , Fondef of the Conicyt, who made the call to the XIII National Competition Research and Development Projects.

 

Aim of our project : Use Brassica napus for the production of Biodiesel: Development and optimization of the process, to dispose of this fuel from oilseed, energy generated by internal combustion engines and burners for boilers MEC.

 

Awarded our bid, with code DO5I 10391, begins the work period from a year 2007 far, immediately initiating the formation of specific action lines.

 

 

Our research team is constituted with researchers from the Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Engineering Electrical Engineering and Mathematics from the Universidad de la Frontera. From the University of Concepción integrating the Dr Oscar Farias Department of Mechanical Engineering. As international consultants we have the support of Dr, Jesus Casanova Polytechnic University of Madrid and Dr. Philipe Kgendakumana Universidad de Lieja Belgica.

 

In the constant search for information, found that the Ministry of Agriculture through the "Office of Agricultural Studies and Policies" and "Foundation for Agrarian Innovation", guide efforts to generate policy development related to agro and biofuels, starting with both institutions, constant contact until today.

 

Actively and continuously participate in various national and international forums, checking on technological progress achieved in this area by European Union countries, North and South America, transforming an alternative green fuels to be addressed as an important strategic focus for the coming years. De allí se inicia el diseño de una Política Nacional de Biocombustibles, que entregue seguridad y transparencia a todos aquellos agentes económicos que deseen participar de esta industria.

 

 

La CNE nos integro como participantes durante la redacción de las Normas de Biodiesel para Chile, publicadas por El Ministerio de Economía, Fomento y Reconstrucción con fecha 30 January 2008, D.S. 11,precisando las definiciones y especificaciones de calidad para la producción de Biodiesel.

 

Densidad, viscosidad, punto de inflamación, punto de escurrimiento, azufre total, residuos de carbono de conradson, contenidos de cenizas sulfatadas, agua y sedimentos, azufre total, corrosión a la lámina de cobre, valor de neutralización, contenido de éster, contenido de metanol, glicerina libre, glicerina total, fósforo, contenido de alcalinos, contenido de metales, Oxidation Stability,

 

Regarding specific assays combustion, using our product, I can point out that these developed in Laboratory of Combustion, Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Universidad de la Frontera, Combustion Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Concepción, Mechanical Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Mechanical Engineering from the University of Liege Belgium, Laboratories and "Control and Certification Center Vehicular" 3HP in Maipú Department of Transportation.

 

The biodiesel produced and subjected to tests in their assessment generates a summary of the following results:

 

The most significant variables to control in the transesterification process of biodiesel, correspond to oil molar ratio alcohol, Catalyst concentration, reaction temperature and time,have been optimized on a pilot.

 

Trials in chassis (3 CV) has concluded that rapeseed biodiesel produced in the pilot plant, shows better performance than the diesel except nitrogen oxides emissions.

 

Oil Biodiesel rehash shows that the mere fact of being a biofuel does not mean reducing emissions. The origin, state oil and heterogeneity, is critical to the quality of fuel.

 

Research Contribution transcendental, has been shown that the diffusive flame applied radiometry allows detection of trace remantes. Lower cost method using atomic absorption spectrometers.

 

Trials in normal urban traffic indicate that power is achieved with biodiesel 4% lower when using diesel, and fuel consumption is increased 3%.

 

In all work of humans occur anecdotes Groups, possess many, I happened to tell concerning the sending of Biodiesel outside the Country.

 

Year UFRO 2009 performed the first photo competition "SCIENCE IN THE BORDER" for scientific papers, One of the pictures taken at this plant, won the First Place, photographic stay another success reflected in the banner of the event

 

TEAM

7 Researchers - Academic

2 Post-Doctorate from the University of the Border

2 PhD Student at the University of the Border

1 PhD student at the University of Concepción

3 Master students of the University of the Border

8 Undergraduate students of the Universidad de la Frontera

Luis Paiva of the Company Emelsicsa

 

Methanex Company, that gave us excellent help with Seminars and delivery of knowledge in Cape Ground Black Magallanes, in the use and handling of Methanol. Bidarth Rosita and Strategy Development Manager with us, thank you very much.

 

The whole team was made up 25 Personas.

In Academics, generate 3 Indexed Publications in Peer Review stage, 21 papers in International Events: Holland, Austria, Germany, Spain, Brazil, Argentina y Chile entre otros.

 

La creación de ésta PLANTA PILOTO DE INVESTIGACIÓN PARA ENSAYOSEXPERIMENTALES, La implementación del Laboratorio de Biocombustibles , en el cuál ya entregamos servicios a terceros, y el Laboratorio de Combustión en el Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, ambos instalados en la Universidad de la Frontera, dan cuenta de lo fructífero de este proyecto.

“Nos hemos constituido en el primer grupo de investigación que obtiene resultados formales a escala industrial con biodiesel en Chile, incluyendo toda la cadena de valor del biocombustible desde la producción agrícola de materia prima para el aceite, y la producción industrial de aceite de raps, hasta la elaboración y producción de biodiesel, considerando además la evaluación de propiedades fisico-químicas y la evaluación de emisiones producto de la combustión del biodiesel. Con este logro sentimos intima satisfacción por estar aportando al desarrollo de la región y el país.

Solicitud de Patentes: En lo formal el 30/12/09 presentamos al Instituto nacional de propiedad intelectual “INAPI” solicitud. 2231”Procesos para determinar la Calidad del Biodiesel en procesos de combustión y el 31/3/10, ingresamos la solicitud N° 313, “Procesos de Producción de biodiesel comercializable y de baja acidez”, resultados de transferencia tecnológica que deben cumplirse ante Fondef. Señalo que el Ing. Juan Pablo Vega ha sido durante todo este tiempo nuestro Ejecutivo de Fondef; who express words of appreciation for the joint work

 

My words of gratitude, are for the entire human group participant Research, counterparty to Companies, state agencies with whom we interacted.

 

Many Thanks