Rediseño de plantas agroindustriales con un enfoque de economía circular.

Abstract

This curricular integration project consisted of the redesign of an andean blackberry-flavored machica drink production plant, which in its initial situation contemplated a linear economy model. Changes based on the principles of the circular economy were implemented, in order to achieve a more sustainable production model that is able to continue for a long period of time without harming the environment. In the first instance, an analysis of the original design of the plant was carried out, aimed at identifying the inputs and outputs of the production process and establishing the critical points, which were the unit operations in which the highest consumption of materials and supplies, and the biggest residuous generation converged. These unit operations were the reference points for the search for improvement alternatives, which included the reduction in the use of raw materials and supplies, the integration of heat to recover or reuse energy, the redesign of processes in a more efficient way , the use of by-products and the implementation of treatments for the effluents generated, prior to their disposal. For the operations that involved changes, the mass and energy balances were recalculated; The process, block, and piping and instrumentation flow diagrams were also updated, and the sizing of the equipment and the economic analysis were reviewed. Finally, the economic, environmental and social benefits were discussed. It is concluded that the circular economy alternatives that were incorporated in the redesign of the agro-industrial plant can generate considerable economic savings, mitigate the negative environmental impact and generate positive social impacts.