Diseño de planta piloto para extraer aceite esencial por destilación de cáscaras de naranja en el mercado 25 de Junio.

Abstract

The research proposes the design of a pilot plant for the extraction of orange peel essential oil through steam distillation, using the waste generated at the "25 de Junio" market in the Machala canton as raw material. This proposal is presented as a sustainable alternative for the recovery of citrus waste and aims to contribute to the circular economy and reduce the environmental impacts generated by the inadequate management of organic waste from the market's activities. Through extensive research, it was determined that the flavedo of orange peel is the fraction with the highest content of volatile compounds. To this end, peels were systematically collected for three weeks, one per month, and an average of 8.3 kg of flavedo was obtained per week. Experimental tests led to an average yield of 3.8 ml of essential oil per kg of processed peel. The pilot plant was designed based on equipment selection, capacity estimation, material balance, distribution layout, and operating conditions. This was modeled using FreeCAD software. The proposed system consists of a steam distiller, a condenser, a decanter, and a storage system capable of processing up to 9 to 10 kg of raw material per cycle. The results demonstrate the technical and operational viability of the project, suggesting a replicable model in other local markets. The financial analysis revealed positive indicators: a Net Present Value (NPV) of $4,115.70, an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 42%, and a Payback Period (PBP) of 2 years, confirming the project’s feasibility and profitability.