Browsing by Autor "Alicia Porras"

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Análisis de descomposición de los materiales usados en empaques en la cadena de producción del marañón en el departamento del Vichada
(2023) Tatiana Carolina Cruz Perea; Alicia Porras; Alejandro Marañón; Camilo Umaña Hernández; Camilo Ayala-García; Óscar Álvarez; J. Porras
En el departamento del Vichada se utiliza una gran variedad de empaques durante la producción y procesamiento de marañón. Estos son usualmente de plástico de uno o pocos usos que ocasionan efectos nocivos al ambiente. Además, como residuo de la extracción de la almendra se producen aproximadamente 1000 ton de corazas de marañón cada año. Estas podrían ser un insumo para el desarrollo de nuevos materiales y la fabricación de empaques innovadores gracias a sus propiedades físicas y térmicas. En este trabajo se presenta la descomposición del material de dos empaques utilizados durante la etapa de vivero del marañón: tubetes forestales y bolsas de siembra. A través de la herramienta de Análisis de Descomposición (Teardown Analysis), se evaluaron las propiedades y composición del material de los empaques, teniendo en cuenta factores como su apariencia interna y externa, y características térmicas y químicas. El material de los empaques estudiados fue analizado utilizando Análisis Termogravimétrico (TGA), Calorimetría Diferencial de Barrido (DSC) y Espectroscopía Infrarroja por Transformada de Fourier (FTIR). Los resultados permitieron identificar que los empaques están fabricados a partir de polipropileno (PP) y polietileno de alta y baja densidad (PEAD y PEBD); de manera que, la transición hacia alternativas con características similares como el ácido poli láctico (PLA), el polihidroxialcanoato (PHA) o la fabricación de empaques hechos completamente de materiales reciclados podría resultar en la reducción del impacto ambiental. Este estudio sirve como base para futuros trabajos enfocados en el desarrollo de empaques a partir de las corazas de marañón, para ser utilizados en la cadena de producción y de procesamiento del marañón en el departamento del Vichada.
Composite development and characterization: Cocoa Bean shell and Propylene – Ethylene – 1 - Butene Terpolymer for potential fused granular fabrication applications
(2024) Maria A. Morales; Luisa Fernanda Lee Barraza; Juan Felipe Sinisterra Arias; Cesar David Torres Ardila; Ariel Santiago Tovar Rosero; Camilo Hernández; Alejandro Marañón; Alicia Porras
Approximately 5.5 billion tons of agroindustrial waste are generated annually worldwide[1]. A substantial portion of this waste remains untreated, leading to soil disposal and the production of greenhouse gases[2]. Specifically, the cocoa industry generates an estimated 700 thousand tons of waste annually[3]. The growing interest in sustainability has driven industries to adopt Circular Economy principles with a focus on utilizing residues from various industries to manufacture cost-competitive and eco-friendlier goods. This study presents a composite based on cocoa bean shells (CBS) and propylene-ethylene-1-butene terpolymer (PP-T), with a focus on its physical, thermal, and mechanical characteristics and its potential application in Fused Granular Fabrication (FGF). The raw materials, and the composite (10wt.% CBS), were thermally characterized, including thermogravimetric analysis (ASTME1121) and differential scanning calorimetry (ASTM D3418). Physical properties were assessed through water absorption (ASTMD570) and density (ASTM D792) analysis, while chemical characterization was achieved using FTIR. Tensile (ASTM D638) and flexural (ASTM D790) properties, were determined by testing molded compressed specimens. The developed material's potential application in FGF was explored. The study was focused on the determination of 3D printing temperature and provides a comprehensive tensile (ASTM D3039) and flexural characterization of 3D-printed specimens. It is essential to ensure that the processing temperature is above the polymer melting temperature (~130°C) while remaining below the thermal degradation temperature of CBS (~230°C). Water absorption shows the importance of well-dried materials before processing to avoid the presence of voids in the composite. Density does not show significant variations. Tensile properties proved to be comparable between the neat PP-T and the composite. Furthermore, the flexural strength showed improvement in the composite, increasing by 43%. The application of the developed composite pellets in FGF was explored. A temperature tower was 3D-printed to assess the impact of nine extrusion temperatures on the finishing quality of the piece. This process facilitated the selection of the 3D printing temperature. The tensile strength in the composite was reduced by 27% compared to the neat PP-T. This decrease can be attributed to the CBS acting as fillers. In this case, the flexural strain was comparable for both materials (7.8% - neat PP-T / 7.6% - composite). The composite's potential as a sustainable and functional alternative in additive manufacturing is notable. Characterization demonstrates a direct influence of the natural fiber from CBS on thermo-physical-mechanical properties. The feasibility of manufacturing the composite through 3D printing via FGF was demonstrated, presenting a practical and viable opportunity for producing parts with diverse requirements.
Development of a Sustainable Thermoplastic Composite Material Using <i>Manicaria saccifera</i> Fabric and Elium® Resin
(Taylor & Francis, 2025) J. Porras; Maria A. Morales; Camilo Hernández; Alejandro Marañón; Véronique Michaud; Alicia Porras
The massive production of nonrenewable materials has exacerbated global environmental challenges, necessitating the development of sustainable alternatives. This study explores the potential of the Manicaria saccifera fabric, an indigenous Colombian natural fabric extracted directly from the waste of the Manicaria palm bracts, as reinforcement for Elium® 188 O resin, a recyclable thermoplastic matrix. Using Vacuum-Assisted Resin Infusion Molding (VARIM), unidirectional natural fiber composites (NFCs) were manufactured and characterized for their physical, thermal, and mechanical properties. The NFCs demonstrated improved mechanical performance, particularly in the longitudinal fiber orientation, with increases of 61% in tensile strength, 67% in elastic modulus, and 22% in impact strength compared to the neat resin. The developed composite could be used in applications where esthetics and sustainability are a plus, such as in the automotive, construction, and marine industries.
Exploring the potential of cashew nutshells: A critical review of alternative applications
(North Carolina State University, 2024) Tatiana Cruz; Alejandro Maranon; Camilo Hernández; Óscar Álvarez; Camilo Ayala-García; Alicia Porras
The production of cashew nuts has been increasing globally, leading to a greater volume of waste materials that require proper management. Nevertheless, cashew nutshells (CNS), currently considered waste by most processors, offer a noteworthy opportunity for alternative applications owing to their distinct physical, chemical, and thermal properties. This article reviews alternative applications for CNS that can leverage these properties, while evaluating research gaps. The potential uses are classified into three categories: material development, energy production, and substance absorption. In the materials segment, various examples are discussed where CNS serves as raw material to synthesize biopolymers, cementitious materials, and a broad range of composites. The energy production section discusses various processes that utilize CNS, including pyrolysis, gasification, and briquette production. The absorption section presents CNS and activated carbon derived from CNS as effective absorbents for liquid-phase and gas-phase applications. While this review highlights numerous research-level possibilities for CNS utilization, only a few of these options have been implemented within the industry. Consequently, further research is essential, particularly in CNS characterization, economic and environmental assessment, and real-life implementation, to broaden and enhance the integration of this biomass into applications that can contribute to the value of both its production and processing chain.
Integrating Cashew Nut Shell Liquid into Novel Product Design: A Comprehensive Examination of Properties, Processing, and Applications
(RELX Group (Netherlands), 2024) Johan Leon Montañez; Óscar Álvarez; Andrés Fernando González Barrios; Alejandro Marañón; Camilo Hernández; Camilo Ayala-García; Alicia Porras