A Techno-Economic Sensitivity Approach for Development of a Palm-based Biorefineries in Colombia

Abstract

Colombia is the fourth global producer of palm oil and, according to the national agenda of R+D, solving the needs of palm oil production chain is a high priority for Colombian government; for this reason, application of biorefinery concept can represent the solution. In this work, an approach based on economic evaluation, techno-economic sensitivity analysis and economic indicators was used for the development of a biorefinery based on the lineal palm oil production chain in order quantify the economic improvements of biorefinery concept implementation. Results showed that for a processing capacity of 240,000 tons per year of palm bunch with a plant life of 15 years, economic indicators are improved using the biorefinery concept due to selling price of all products, however, both palm oil plant and biorefinery present a strong sensitivity to raw material costs with a break-even price of 125 and 155 US$/t, respectively. In addition, operating costs have a critical value in 146 and 170 US$/t of palm fruit for palm oil plant and biorefinery, after this cost a low increase of NVOC can increase PBP in decades.