Energy integration of a large-scale process for pectin production from cocoa pod husk (Theobroma cacao L.)

摘要

Pectin is an important plant cell component extracted from by-products of plant material such as citrus peels, sisal waste and peach pomace. Conventional acid extraction process includes the acidification of feedstock by a mineral or organic acid during time and using hot water. Because of the wide range of applications for pectin, alternative sources and extraction process have been studied in order to satisfy the increasing demand, improve efficiency and reduce costs. In this research, energy integration analysis was applied to pectin extraction process from cocoa pod husk (Theobroma cacao L.) by hydrolysis with citric acid; the results indicated that heating and cooling energy requirements savings of 93.8% and 57.7%, respectively, might be obtained, which make of this process a project with even a greater economic potential.