Evaluación del nivel de emisiones y poder calorífico en briquetas de residuos del olivar

Evaluation of the level of emissions and calorific power of briquettes with olive residues

Abstract

The olive industry generates waste with negative environmental effects, especially during the extraction of oil and the processing of table olives. The research aimed to assess the emissions and calorific value of briquettes made from olive pruning residues, olive pomace, and olive pits, with the purpose of utilizing this biomass. Four treatments were conducted, varying in the presence or absence of washing the olive pomace. The obtained briquettes exhibited a CO/CO2 ratio of 0.0097 ppm and a calorific value close to 80% of charcoal. Although no significant differences in CO and CO2 emissions were found due to the washing of olive pomace (p-value > 0.05), it is concluded that olive waste holds potential as an alternative energy source. However, further investigation is needed before considering its use as a commercial biofuel.