Ús de l'oli vegetal cru com a biocarburant per autoconsum agrícola: avaluacio de la sostenibilitat del sistema a Catalunya

La introducció de la colza en la rotació de conreus i la producció i ús d’oli vegetal cru (OVC) com a biocarburant per autoconsum agrícola presenten alguns avantatges respecte al sistema tradicional de conreu de la Catalunya central, com una major productivitat i la capacitat d’autoabastament de combustible. El principal objectiu d’aquesta tesi és estudiar la viabilitat ambiental i econòmica de l’autoconsum d’oli vegetal cru en una explotació agrícola. També es planteja l’avaluació social mitjançant la metodologia de l’anàlisi de cicle de vida. A partir de les dades recopilades es defineix un model agrícola parametritzat, essent el camp el principal element i tenint en compte els fluxos d’entrada i sortida del mateix i dels processos que el complementen. Aquest model permet avaluar diferents escenaris de producció, que inclouen la rotació tradicional (blat, ordi i guaret), la rotació actual (blat i ordi) i la rotació proposada (colza, blat i ordi). Addicionalment el model també té en compte el processat de la llavor i l’ús de dièsel o oli vegetal com a carburants en la maquinària agrícola. Cal remarcar que el model proposat no pretén produir OVC com a substitut del dièsel per al transport, sinó que brinda la possibilitat de produir el combustible que es consumeix en una explotació usant una part de les terres conreades. En el context d’aquest model es realitza un estudi del processat mecànic de la colza per l’obtenció d’oli vegetal i un estudi sobre la seva adequació per ser usat com a carburant. Primer s’analitza l’índex d’acidesa en funció de la temperatura de premsat per determinar el punt òptim de treball. Seguidament, a partir del contingut en fòsfor s’estudien els processos de post-tractament de l’oli obtingut (filtrat i desgomat). L’anàlisi de cicle de vida (ACV) és la metodologia emprada per avaluar el model en les tres branques de la sostenibilitat (ambiental, econòmica i social). Aquesta metodologia permet estudiar processos productius de manera exhaustiva i avaluar-los de forma quantitativa. Es duu a terme una ACV ambiental seguint la metodologia ja desenvolupada i es realitza una ACV econòmica a partir de la guia vigent, tot i no existir normativa específica com en el cas de l’ACV ambiental. La metodologia de l’ACV social encara es troba en els seus inicis i per tant, tot i que es detalla com s’ha de realitzar, l’ACV social del model proposat no es pot completar. L’avaluació ambiental del model mostra certa preferència per l’ús de l’OVC en front al dièsel, tot i que encara queda camí per optimitzar i ajustar els motors tèrmics on s’ha d’utilitzar l’OVC per ajustar-ne les emissions. El rendiment de la fase de premsat i l’origen de l’electricitat consumida també són punts que tenen una gran influència en els resultats. Aquests factors són clau per obtenir en el futur una reducció important dels impactes ambientals. A partir de l’avaluació econòmica es detecta un clar interès econòmic per introduir la colza en la rotació de conreus actual. Per altra banda, el processat de la colza i l’ús de l’OVC representen econòmicament una petita disminució en el benefici (8,0%). Aquesta diferència queda reduïda a menys de la meitat si el dièsel agrícola no es subvenciona i es tenen en compte les emissions de CO2 segons el mercat del carboni. Aquestes improbables mesures polítiques poden afavorir un major rendiment econòmic del model proposat. Per altra banda, el model proporciona una menor dependència en front a les variacions del preu de mercat del dièsel. Finalment, en el context de desenvolupament actual de la metodologia d’avaluació social, es defineixen nous indicadors i es planteja el càlcul d’una categoria d’impacte social a partir del càlcul dels seus corresponents indicadors. Per a futurs estudis seria interessant disposar d’una metodologia d’ACV social ben desenvolupada per poder avaluar el model proposat enfront a l’actual, ja que és en la part social on s’intueixen les majors diferències entre els dos sistemes estudiats.The introduction of rapeseed in the crop rotation and the production and use of straight vegetable oil (SVO) as self- supply biofuel in agricultural machinery have some advantages over the traditional cultivation system of Catalonia central region. These advantages can be summarized in a greater productivity and the capacity to supply its own farm fuel. The main objective of this PhD is to study the environmental and economic feasibility of the SVO self-supply in a farm. This work also handles the social assessment using the life cycle analysis methodology. A parameterized agricultural model is defined according the collected data. The model takes into account the input and output flows of the field, as long as the other processes of the proposed farm model. This model allows the evaluation of different production scenarios, including the traditional crop rotation (wheat, barley and fallow), the current crop rotation (wheat and barley) and the proposed crop rotation (rapeseed, wheat and barley). Additionally, the model takes into consideration the processing and use of diesel or SVO as fuel in the agricultural machinery. Note that the proposed model is not intended to produce OVC to be a diesel substitute for transport. On the other hand, it provides the chance to produce fuel for its consumption in the field work using a portion of the cultivated land. In the model framework, a study of the mechanical processing of rapeseed into oil and a study of its suitability for its use as fuel are carried out. First the acidity index is analyzed to determine the optimal working point regarding the pressing temperature. After that, the phosphorus content is analysed to evaluate the oil refining treatments (filtering and degumming). Life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology is used to evaluate the model in the three pillars of sustainability (environmental, economic and social). This method allows the production processes evaluation and their quantitative assessment. An environmental LCA is carried out using the already developed methodology and the current regulations. The economic LCA is done according to the published guidelines, as there is no specific regulation developed. The social LCA methodology is still in its early stages and therefore, even giving the details on how to perform it, the social evaluation of the proposed model can not be completed. The environmental assessment of the model shows a slight preference for SVO in front of diesel. However, the results can be improved by a better optimization and adjustment of diesel engines to use SVO, which can lower their emissions. The pressing yield and the electrical mix are processes that have also a high influence on the results. These key factors can lead to a significant reduction of environmental impacts in the future. From the economic evaluation, a clear economic interest to introduce rapeseed in the current crop rotation is revealed. Conversely, the processing of rapeseed and the use of SVO leads to an small profit decrease (8,0%). This difference is reduced by more than a half if agricultural diesel was not subsidized and if the CO2 emissions were accounted according to the carbon market. These unlikely policy measures may promote the economic viability of the proposed model. Even though, the use of self-supplied SVO in farming can help to reduce the dependency on fuel price flux, giving independence to the farmer. Finally, in the current development context of the social assessment methodology, new indicators are defined and the calculation of a social impact category based on the calculation of its corresponding indicators is presented. The major differences between the two systems studied are expected to be found in their social assessment. Thus, further well-developed social LCA methodology will be necessary to evaluate the proposed model against the current system.La introducción de la colza en la rotación de cultivos y la producción y uso de aceite vegetal crudo como biocarburante para autoconsumo agrícola presentan ciertas ventajas respecto al sistema tradicional de cultivo de la Cataluña central, como una mayor productividad y la capacidad de autoabastecimiento de combustible. El principal objetivo de esta tesis es estudiar la viabilidad ambiental y económica del autoconsumo de aceite vegetal crudo en una explotación agrícola. También se plantea la evaluación social mediante la metodología del análisis de ciclo de vida. A partir de los datos recogidos se define un modelo agrícola parametrizado. Este modelo permite evaluar diferentes escenarios de producción, incluyendo la rotación tradicional (trigo, cebada y barbecho), la rotación actual (trigo y cebada) y la rotación propuesta (colza, trigo y cebada). Además, el modelo tiene en cuenta el procesado de la semilla y el uso de gasóleo o aceite vegetal como carburantes en la maquinaria agrícola. Cabe destacar que el modelo propuesto no pretende producir OVC para sustituir el gasóleo para el transporte, sino que ofrece la posibilidad de producir el combustible que se consume en una explotación usando una parte de las tierras cultivadas. En el contexto de este modelo se realiza un estudio del procesado mecánico de la colza para la obtención de aceite vegetal y un estudio sobre su adecuación para ser usado como carburante. Primero se analiza el índice de acidez en función de la temperatura de prensado para determinar el punto óptimo de trabajo. Consecutivamente, usando el contenido en fósforo del aceite se estudian los procesos de post-tratamiento del aceite obtenido (filtrado y desgomado). El análisis de ciclo de vida (ACV) es la metodología empleada para evaluar el modelo en las tres vertientes de la sostenibilidad (ambiental, económica y social). Esta metodología permite estudiar procesos productivos de manera exhaustiva y evaluarlos de forma cuantitativa. Se lleva a cabo un ACV ambiental siguiendo la metodología ya desarrollada y se realiza un ACV económico a partir de la guía vigente, a pesar de no existir normativa específica como en el caso del ACV ambiental. La metodología del ACV social aún se encuentra en sus inicios y por lo tanto, aunque se detalla cómo se debe realizar, no se puede completar el ACV social del modelo propuesto. La evaluación ambiental del modelo muestra cierta preferencia por el uso del aceite vegetal crudo frente al gasóleo, aunque todavía se pueden optimizar y ajustar los motores térmicos para utilizar el aceite vegetal y ajustar sus emisiones. El rendimiento de la fase de prensado y origen de la electricidad consumida también son puntos que tienen una gran influencia en los resultados. Estos factores son clave para reducir los impactos ambientales en el modelo propuesto. A partir de la evaluación económica se detecta un claro interés económico para introducir la colza en la rotación de cultivos actual. Por otra parte, el procesado de la colza y el uso de la OVC representan económicamente una pequeña disminución en el beneficio (8,0%). Esta diferencia queda reducida a menos de la mitad si el gasóleo agrícola no se subvenciona y se tienen en cuenta las emisiones de CO2 en función del mercado del carbono. Estas improbables medidas políticas pueden favorecer la viabilidad económica del modelo propuesto. Por otra parte, el modelo proporciona una menor dependencia frente a las variaciones del precio de mercado del gasóleo. Finalmente, en el contexto de desarrollo actual de la metodología de evaluación social, se definen nuevos indicadores y se plantea el cálculo de una categoría de impacto social a partir del cálculo de sus correspondientes indicadores. Para futuros estudios sería interesante disponer de una metodología de ACV social bien desarrollada para poder evaluar el modelo propuesto frente al modelo actual, ya que es en la parte social donde se intuyen las mayores diferencias entre los dos sistemas estudiados

Tècnica de grup d'experts aplicat a l'assignatura de materials

L’assignatura de Ciència i Enginyeria de Materials està integrada per continguts de diferents matèries que són difícils d’impartir alhora durant un quadrimestre. Un tema que sovint es deixa per a l’última part del curs, és el de materials ceràmics, quan ja no queda massa temps perquè l’alumnat adquireixi els coneixements necessaris. En aquest treball es resumeix una experiència d’aprenentatge actiu basada en la tècnica dels grups d’experts sobre materials ceràmics. Els punts forts de l’activitat són que permet iniciar el tema de materials ceràmics sense que l’alumnat tingui tots els coneixements previs. L’activitat es comença a meitat de curs, utilitzant poc temps de les classes expositives. Al final del quadrimestre, quan l’alumnat ja té assolits els coneixements previs per al tema de materials ceràmics, s’hi destinen dues sessions més. L’experiència d’aprenentatge actiu es basa en que, primer de tot, l’alumnat tria un material ceràmic que li resulti peculiar, amb el vist-i-plau del professorat. Durant el curs, s’estudia el material seleccionat amb l’ajuda del professorat en forma de grups d’expertesa en un material ceràmic concret. Un cop estudiats els materials, s’ha de fer una exposició oral davant altres companys/es, creant nous grups formats per un expert en cada material estudiat. En l’avaluació es tenen en compte només dos conceptes: els coneixements adquirits pel propi estudiant i pels altres experts/es. El fet que l’alumne/a sigui responsable amb un 50% de la nota dels altres fa que tingui una forta implicació a l’adquirir els coneixements. La tècnica de grups d’experts dóna la oportunitat de treballar les competències de treball en equip, capacitat de síntesi i anàlisi i comunicació oral.Postprint (published version

An eddy-current-based sensor for preventing knots in metallic wire drawing processes

During metallic wire drawing processes, the presence of knots and the failure to detect them can lead to long production interruptions, significant economic losses and a lower quality of final product. Consequently, there is a pressing need to develop methods for real-time detection and prevention of this fault. In this paper, a sensor to prevent the formation of knots during the metallic wire drawing process is presented and evaluated by means of experimental data. This fast, inexpensive, non-contact sensor is based on electromagnetic principles such as eddy current induction, magnetic reluctance variations and magnetic coupling. The proposed sensor without direct contact can detect knots in a target metallic wire by measuring the impedance variations of a calibrated sensing coil caused by either a knot or an unwound loop rising from a wire rod. The incorporation of this type of sensor into a wire-drawing machine can avoid the tightening of the knot, thereby reducing downtime and increasing the security and reliability of the process. Experiments were conducted using a scale model of the above proposed system. This allowed highlighting the sensor’s potential by carrying out an automatic, real-time knot detection during steel wire drawingPreprin

Evaluation of a new sustainable continuous system for processing bovine leather

The aim of the present work is to evaluate a new sustainable continuous system for processing bovine leather. By means of a prototype described in the international patent WO, 2010/070571 (A2) of the technological centre AIICA, a dehydration process for bovine hides is carried out. What is obtained through this new process is a dehydrated leather with the optimal physical and chemical characteristics that will allow its subsequent tanning by immersion processes in aqueous solutions of chemical products. When compared to existing traditional processes, there are economic and environmental advantages resulting from the use of this new system. More specifically, the new process results in reductions of 30.6% in water use, 50.2% in chemical use and 16.4% in process time. In addition, a reduction of 27.3% in wastewater and a reduction of 47.5% of thermal energy consumption are obtained. However, this new system presents an increase in electricity consumption of 63.03% and an increase in gaseous emissions of 75% due to the use of acetone in the dehydration process and the 0.5% losses of acetone during the process. In order to better assess the environmental impact of this new tanning system, life cycle analysis methodology has been chosen to perform calculations on the Global Warming Potential (CO2 equivalent emissions) and the energy consumption comparing both traditional and new tanning processes

Application of highly carboxylate resins in aqueous emulsion for leather coating avoiding the use of isopropyl alcohol

Today, the first stages of the finishing processes of buffed cattle hides or full loose grain – known as impregnation – are largely carried out with acrylic resins and penetrating agents (typically, a mixture of surfactants and solvents). This application aims to strengthen the partially buffed grain layer bound to the rest of the dermis. To that end, a composition of emulsified acrylic resins is used, as well as a penetrating agent – usually isopropyl alcohol – and water. The process examined consists in the application of acrylic polymers in an aqueous emulsion that, because of their structure, size, and properties no longer require the use of the isopropyl alcohol contained in the penetrating agents. The use of this alcohol causes adverse effects on the health of workers that are exposed to emanations of isopropanol vapors (irritant to eyes, respiratory tract, and skin) in the work environment. Effects from prolonged exposition and inhalation may lead to headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea and, ultimately, to unconsciousness. By using the new polymers developed in this work, the negative environmental effects of the finishing process can be minimized. At the same time, the use of these highly carboxylate resins avoid the exposure to isopropyl alcohol, which is harmful to the health. In addition, the volatile organic compounds (VOC) are reduced without compromising the appearance, performance and fashion requirements that are expected in the final product.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Using Life Cycle Thinking and Assessment for industrial waste management policy making

Postprint (published version

Environmental life cycle assessment of rapeseed straight vegetable oil as self-supply agricultural biofuel

Biofuels are nowadays considered a questionable environmental alternative to fossil fuels. In that context, this work analyses the environmental impacts when introducing rapeseed on the traditional and current wheat and barley agricultural rotation by means of a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA). The introduction of rapeseed, the correctness of its conversion to obtain straight vegetable oil and its use as self-consumption biofuel in tractors are evaluated. Life cycle assessment is used in this work to evaluate the impacts of different considered scenarios. A sensitivity analysis has also been conducted. The results presented show a modest environmental improvement (diminishment of 6 out of the 10 analyzed environmental impacts) when introducing rapeseed to local crop rotations and its partial conversion to oil to be used as fuel in existing diesel engines. Additionally, the ratio between the energy obtained and the total energy input shows moderate positive results when comparing the latter case with the current one. Results from this study can be used to support research and decision making to assess the convenience of introducing alternative fuels in agricultural exploitationsPreprin

Temperature dependence of density and viscosity of vegetable oils

The straight use of vegetable oils as fuel in diesel engines entails adjusting several physical properties such as density and viscosity. By adequately heating the vegetable oil before entering the injection system, its physical parameters can reach values very close to that of diesel fuel. Consequently, by properly adjusting the temperature of vegetable oils used as fuel, it is possible to improve their combustion performance, thus avoiding premature engine aging due to incomplete burning. In this study the density and viscosity of several vegetable oils are studied within a wide variety of temperatures. The optimal range of temperatures at which each vegetable oil should operate in order to adjust its properties to those of automotive diesel and biodiesel is then found. Additionally an empirical relationship between the dependence of viscosity with density is presented. Thus, by means of the above-described relationship, through measuring the density of a given oil, its viscosity can be directly deducedPostprint (published version

Small-scale production of straight vegetable oil from rapeseed and its use as biofuel in the Spanish territory

Biofuels nowadays are an important topic of study. The most significant point is the availability of bioethanol or biodiesel and their production from different raw materials. It is already known that large scale production of first-generation biodiesel cannot be seen as an alternative to fossil fuels due to land requirements, competition with food, increase in fertilizer requirements and pressure on tropical forests among others. This fact does not necessarily apply to second-generation biofuels or small scale niche productions. Straight vegetable oil (SVO) can be used directly in diesel engines with minor modifications. Our proposal is a small-scale SVO production system for self-supply in agricultural machinery. In this paper a model to provide SVO to local farmers in a specific area in Catalonia (Spain) is presented. We also present a discussion about the regulations to be changed in order to make possible the incorporation of SVO as engine fuel in diesel vehicles and a comparative analysis between the emissions of tractors fed with SVO and petrodiesel. Moreover a quantitative economic analysis of modifying diesel engines and long-term operability costs are shown and a firstrun economic analysis comparing the actual crop rotation with the proposed one and some alternatives is studied.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author’s final draft