1 Analysis of biorefinery platforms based on technical characteristics of the raw materials : a comparison between orange and plantain peels waste

Fermentable sugars are considered a product platform. Different metabolites such as alcohols, organic acids, biomaterials, and biomolecules can be obtained from this. The production of fermentable sugars has been extensively studied to obtain higher yields. However, few studies determine the best route in technical, energy, and economic terms. In this work, two raw materials (orange peel waste and plantain peel) of great interest for fermentable sugars production were studied. The conceptual design and optimization methodology were used for this purpose. The material and energy balances were obtained using the Aspen Plus V.9.0 software for the conceptual design. Besides, the investment costs of each process unit were obtained by the Aspen Economic Analyzer V.9.0 software. Balances and costs were the input to the mathematical development of optimization. A superstructure was established for this purpose. GAMS software was used. The economic results of the optimal biorefineries schemes showed a non-feasibility performance, represented numerically in the NPV. Nevertheless, comparing the two raw materials and the schemes, it is possible to conclude that the best raw material to produce sugars as platforms products is OPW.