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Olive tree biomass: renewable energy from agricultural residues
Imagine being able to transform what was once a simple agricultural waste into a clean and sustainable energy source. Olive biomass does just that: it harnesses the by-products of the olive industry, to generate renewable energy and reduce environmental impact. In this post, we will explore how olive biomass helps to give new value to this waste. Read on to discover all that this natural resource has to offer!
What is olive biomass
The implementation of systems such as drip irrigation and technological advances has allowed a progressive and sustained increase in olive oil productivity. However, this growth in the production of tons of oil also generates an increase in the waste derived from the industry. This set of residues is called biomass, a resource with great potential in the market.
The main types of biomass are:
- Pomace: this is the mass that remains once olive oil is extracted. It accounts for practically 80% of the raw material processed.
- The "Orujillo": It is obtained after extracting the residual oil from the pomace, leaving a by-product with high calorific value.
- Olive pit: Perhaps this is the waste with which you are most familiar, since it is one of the most commonly used by the end consumer. There are many households that use this waste as fuel for domestic heating.
- Pruning the olive grove: it is necessary to prune the olive grove to ensure good production. The largest cuts are used for firewood, this is the most traditional fuel in areas where there are olive plantations, it is the one used by our grandparents to relieve the cold in their homes and is still used in many rural homes. The smaller cuts are left in the field and crushed to serve as natural compost.
Benefits of this biomass
Olive biomass offers multiple environmental, energy and economic benefits. Its use reduces agricultural waste and minimizes environmental impact by emitting less CO₂ than fossil fuels. In addition, it helps prevent fires by removing pruning waste and allows its reuse as compost or natural fertilizer.
In the energy field, it is a renewable and efficient energy, with high calorific power in waste such as olive pits and orujillo, widely used in heating and electricity generation.
In short, the use of biomass makes it possible to give value to a waste that, if not properly managed, would represent a serious environmental and for logistical problem the olive industry. Instead of accumulating and generating pollution, these by-products are transformed into useful resources, contributing to a more sustainable management, reducing costs and favoring the circular economy.
Procurement process
As mentioned above, olive biomass is obtained from the residues generated in the production of olive oil and the maintenance of olive groves. Its transformation follows a structured process that allows its use as a source of renewable energy or for other industrial uses.
1. Residue collection
The main olive grove wastes come from two sources:
-Olive oil production: By-products such as pomace, orujillo and olive pits are generated during the extraction process.
-Olive grove maintenance: Olive pruning produces branches and leaves that can be used for composting or as fuel.
2. Processing and treatment
Each type of biomass undergoes different treatments for its use:
-Orujo: It undergoes a drying process and extraction of residual oil to obtain the orujillo.
-Orujillo: After the extraction of the pomace oil, it is dried and crushed for use as biofuel.
-Olive pit: It is separated and cleaned for use in domestic and industrial heating.
-Branches and pruning debris: Shredded for composting or larger cuts are separated for use as fuel.
Uses and applications
Once biomass is processed, it has numerous applications:
Renewable energy: one of its major applications is as biofuel for heating and electricity generation, the use of olives and dried pomace are highly efficient as fuel in biomass boilers for domestic and industrial heating. Their high calorific value makes them a sustainable option to replace fossil fuels.
Production of pomace oil: alperujo has a small percentage of oil, no more than 2%, since the oil mills use the double extraction method, whereby the milled mass is centrifuged twice.
This oil extracted from the alperujo is an oil that must be refined before it can be consumed. Since its acidity is very high and its organoleptic qualities are not at all pleasant. It goes through a process in which by means of chemical procedures the impurities and turbidity are removed, the acidity is neutralized, and it is discolored. Finally, it is mixed with a small percentage of extra virgin olive oil and marketed as olive pomace oil.
Cosmetics: olive biomass residues, such as leaves, are used to obtain natural extracts with antioxidant properties. These extracts are used in cosmetic products such as creams, lotions and shampoos due to their benefits for skin and hair.
Environmental and economic impact of olive biomass
Olive biomass has a positive impact on both the environment and the economy, contributing to the sustainability of the olive industry and offering innovative solutions to energy and agricultural challenges.
1. Waste reduction:
Olive biomass takes advantage of waste generated during oil production and olive grove maintenance, such as pomace, orujillo, olive pits and pruning branches. Reusing these by-products prevents them from accumulating and becoming a waste management problem, minimizing environmental impact.
2. Reduction of the carbon footprint:
Using olive biomass as an energy source reduces CO₂ emissions compared to fossil fuels. Its combustion emits less greenhouse gases, helping to mitigate climate change and promoting the use of renewable energy.
3. Boosting the circular economy:
By transforming agricultural waste into useful resources, olive biomass fosters a circular economy model, in which waste is reused rather than discarded. This not only reduces waste disposal costs, but also promotes the sustainability of the olive industry.