PRODUCCIÓN MÁS LIMPIA Y ECOEFICIENCIA EN EL PROCESADO DEL CACAO: UN CASO DE ESTUDIO EN ECUADOR
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Abstract
El cacao, es uno de los sectores económicos en Ecuador. El presente estudio tiene como finalidad realizar el diagnóstico, proponer opciones de producción más limpia (PML) y evaluar indicadores de ecoeficiencia aplicables al proceso de elaboración de pasta de cacao. Se analizaron las etapas del proceso, desde el diagnóstico hasta la formulación y evaluación de alternativas de PML. Se propusieron opciones de mejora en el proceso relacionadas con el ahorro de electricidad, agua y gestión de residuos. El análisis de la viabilidad económica y ambiental muestra resultados favorables, la recuperación de la inversión en mayoría de las opciones es inmediata o inferior a un año y pueden contribuir a disminuir el consumo de electricidad, agua, y residuos sólidos generados en un 13.2%, 18% y 99.7% respectivamente. Finalmente, se recomienda validar estas propuestas, y realizar investigaciones futuras sobre otras corrientes residuales de la actividad que puedan minimizar la contaminación ambiental generada en el proceso de producción de cacao en pasta.
Cocoa is one of the main economic sectors in Ecuador. The purpose of this study was to carry out the diagnosis, propose cleaner production (CP) options, and evaluate eco-efficiency indicators applicable to the cocoa paste elaboration process. The stages of the process were analyzed, from diagnosis to formulation and evaluation of CP alternatives. Options for process improvement related to saving electricity, water, and waste management were proposed. The analysis of the economic and environmental viability shows favorable results, the investment recovery in most of the options is immediate or less than a year. In addition, CP options can contribute to decreasing the consumption of electricity, water, and solid waste generated by 13.2 %, 18%, and 99.7% respectively. Finally, it is recommended to validate these proposals and to carry out future research on other residual currents of the activity that may minimize the environmental contamination generated in the cocoa paste production process.
Cocoa is one of the main economic sectors in Ecuador. The purpose of this study was to carry out the diagnosis, propose cleaner production (CP) options, and evaluate eco-efficiency indicators applicable to the cocoa paste elaboration process. The stages of the process were analyzed, from diagnosis to formulation and evaluation of CP alternatives. Options for process improvement related to saving electricity, water, and waste management were proposed. The analysis of the economic and environmental viability shows favorable results, the investment recovery in most of the options is immediate or less than a year. In addition, CP options can contribute to decreasing the consumption of electricity, water, and solid waste generated by 13.2 %, 18%, and 99.7% respectively. Finally, it is recommended to validate these proposals and to carry out future research on other residual currents of the activity that may minimize the environmental contamination generated in the cocoa paste production process.
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Vol. 20, No. 1