Simulación y valorización de residuos de la industria oleícola en la producción cerámica

Abstract

The main waste generated during two-phase-extraction olive oil production is oil washing water and “alperujo” (olive wet pomace). In addition, alperujo ash is also produced in olive-oil-related industries. This research work studies the feasibility of using wastes from the olive oil sector in the ceramic industry. The tested compositions were molded in a laboratory extruder and fired in a laboratory furnace in all instances with an additional firing step in a tunnel kiln for compositions with oil washing water and “alperujo”. The addition of wastes from the olive oil industry modifies certain characteristics of the products obtained, as well as operation variables of the plant. The new values for operation variables are within working ranges. The energy and raw materials savings, the reduction of CO2 emissions, the elimination of pollutant materials and obtaining products that meet the quality requirements contribute to the potential of using such waste in ceramic products.