OLIVE4FUTURE Operational Group: Comprehensive solution to the problem of alperujo by obtaining value-added products
- Type Operational group
- Status In progress
- Execution 2024 -2025
- Assigned Budget 292.495,00 €
- Scope Autonómico
- Autonomous community Andalucía
The sustainable valorization of olive oil through physical-chemical processes offers innovative solutions that transform this waste into high-value products, such as biochar and activated carbon. These technologies not only mitigate the environmental impact of the olive sector but also generate new opportunities for agricultural producers. The project seeks to obtain quality biochar, capable of improving soil structure, increasing its water and nutrient retention capacity, which translates into higher agricultural yields and reduced input costs.
Biochar is expected to be produced with a carbon content greater than 70% and a specific surface area greater than 10 m²/g. Activated carbons are also expected to be produced from alperujo using various chemical agents (KOH, ZnCl?, and HPO?), with the following characteristics: carbon content greater than 80%, specific surface area greater than 500 m²/g, porosity greater than 0.3 cm³/g, and precise control of its acid-base character.
These activated carbons have great potential in the manufacture of lithium-sulfur batteries, which are in high demand in the electric vehicle sector. For professionals in the agricultural sector, this represents the possibility of transforming waste into an additional source of income, while promoting the circular economy and the energy transition, with both economic and environmental benefits.
The project seeks to obtain a quality biochar, capable of improving soil structure, increasing its water and nutrient retention capacity, which translates into higher agricultural yields and a reduction in input costs.
- Search for innovative solutions through the development of four technologies that can meet the needs of the sector by transforming alperujo into value-added compounds.
- The valorization of alpeorujo is proposed through two general alternative routes:
- Composting and/or co-composting bioprocesses for obtaining high-quality organic amendments for agricultural use, increasing soil organic matter and anaerobic digestion, which allows for the production of energy in the form of biogas, thus contributing to the energy demand for renewable energy.
- Physical-chemical processes that allow for the production of products with higher added value, such as biochar and activated carbon.
As a complement to the transformation of this waste into activated carbon, its suitability as a carbonaceous material suitable for the manufacture of lithium-sulfur batteries will be evaluated, thus converting a problematic waste product into part of a sustainable energy solution, with high added value and contributing to the energy transition.
To valorize olive oil production using innovative technologies, promoting sustainability in the circular economy of olive oil production. To apply composting, co-composting, and anaerobic co-digestion bioprocesses to obtain quality organic amendments and biogas as an energy resource, respectively. To obtain biochar and activated carbons as value-added compounds through physical-chemical processes, as well as to apply these carbons in Li-S batteries.
The project seeks to produce high-quality biochar capable of improving soil structure, increasing its water and nutrient retention capacity, which translates into higher agricultural yields and reduced input costs.
- Coordinator/entity name: University of Córdoba
- Postal address: Avenida Medina Azahara, 5, 14071
- Coordinator/entity email: mc.gutierrez@uco.es
- Telephone: 957218625
- Universidad de Córdoba
- SC OLIVARERA NTRA. SRA. DE LA SALUD (calidad@covidesa.com)
- Asociación Empresarial de Almazaras Industriales (info@almazarasdecordoba.org)
- Universidad de Córdoba
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