A characterization of the process of drying the corozo (Bactris guineensis) fruit behavior, performed by numerical simulation CFD was carried out. A variation of the drying process input conditions was made choosing the temperature as variable, analyzing its effects on the drying of the corozo when being implemented in the ranges between 50 °C and 85 °C with specific relative humidity conditions of 76% and drying rate of 1 m/s, for which the convective heat transfer models and phase change models were used. The curves of the drying process of the biomass were obtained for each temperature, profiled the speed and moisture loss inside the biomass. The results obtained by numerical simulation are compared with those obtained experimentally showing reliability of this practice. The drying process of the corozo can be used for its preservation as food and its use as a source of unconventional energy generation.

The drying process for "corozo" (Bactris guineensis) is performed in order to establish the values for variables such as temperature and time, while producing adequate dehydration of this type of fruit. Two temperatures values were used, 50°C and 70°C, and a gravimetric procedure was used, with a mass baseline of 100 g, with ripe fruit. The time interval used for data collection was 5 minutes. Tests were also performed to determine the water mass diffusivity inside the fruit considering the same temperature range of the main experiment. A computational validation was also done for the drying process through a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis from the physical properties of the established biomass together with the process conditions, using the mass and energy conservation models and continuity in porous media. A very similar performance was obtained between experimental tests and computational simulation, reduction of the drying time by 40% for a temperature of 70 °C when compared to 50 °C.

The Pinch energy saving technology is an appropriate technology to design and optimize cogeneration processes. This research achieved the development of a cogeneration methodology for an enterprise from the dairy industry with an energy characterization; a viable energy source is coupled to heat exchanger equipment, which will be evaluated by technology Pinch and obtain efficient use of heat and subsequent use. According to the methodology designed, conventional system handles an energy efficiency of about 37% and cogeneration system proposed 80.1%; in primary energy consumption (natural gas) this is reduced by 30% with a reduced cost of 50%kWh.

The introduction of mass transit systems in major cities of Colombia has led to several socio-economic impacts, arising from the market for diesel vehicles belonging to the public transport fleet in each city. The majority of diesel engines are sold a very low cost or are stored in the junkyards of the city’s industrial sector. This article proposes the development of a methodology for the remanufacture and transformation of these engines to an exclusive operation with biogas for use as a stationary source of electricity generation in rural areas. They are not connected to the country’s electricity network. This theoretical and experimental work is based on the implementation of specialized texts in the conversion of internal combustion engines to biogas, as applied to a Caterpillar 3126E diesel engine. Following completion of the study a conversion system was made to be installed in other types of Diesel engines. The instructions for this shows how to make the construction and operational changes to the engine, such as; decreasing the compression ratio, removing the Diesel injection system, adding ignition and feeding systems for Biogas. Also the engine was tested obtaining a maximum mechanical power of 63.4 kW (85 hp) and 211 N m (155.6 lb ft) of torque at 2800 rpm. The use of these engines in this application will reduce emissions of methane in the atmosphere, will help generate employment for the industrial sector and therefore contribute to the productive development of the country’s rural areas.