COGENERATION POTENTIAL IN COLOMBIAN SUGAR MILLS

By
EDGAR F. CASTILLO M., ADOLFO L. GÓMEZ, 
DIEGO COBO and CARLOS AGUIRRE 
Colombian Sugarcane Research Center CENICAÑA,
Cali, Colombia
efcastillo@cenicana.org

KEYWORDS: Cogeneration, Colombia, Distillation,
Electricity, Ethanol, Steam, Sugar.

Abstract

NOWADAYS, the Colombian sugar industry is involved in an expansion process, mainly
related to the diversification of final products.
In this way, since 2005 five ethanol distilleries are running, covering just 65% of
total ethanol demand. Distilleries were designed coupled with a composting plant, based on
vinasses and sludges from the sugar plant.
Both distilleries and composting plants show many features which make them a
special case in the ethanol market, so theyproduce a maximum of 3 L vinasse/L ethanol.
Besides, in all cases, the thermal and electrical power requirements at the ethanol
plant are supplied by the sugar plant.
In this paper, a brief description of technological features of the typical process
configuration followed by the Colombian sugar industry is shown.
It comprises the steam consumption distribution by sections, the common
configuration of the heat exchanger network (HEN) developed for vegetal steam usage and
the role of the energetic self-sufficiency ofthe factory played by the bagasse quality.
A set of possible scenarios for improving energy efficiency in a selected mill which
comprises a modified HEN can be formulated, including a revamping of existing boiler and
finally a new boiler operating at higher pressure.
Based on the previous information, the state of the main Colombian cogeneration
projects based on sugar cane and its potential impact on national energy supply is shown.
Finally, the paper describes how Colombian governmental requirements for
cogeneration plants are trying to establish a legal framework for this novel industrial activity
in the country.

Co-Products Proc. Int. Soc. Sugar Cane Technol., Vol. 27, 2010