The pellet production and utilization plant, located at the Center for Research on Protein Plants and Bionatural Products (CIPB) in Havana, uses moringa biomass (Moringa oleifera) as raw material and was inaugurated in October 2024.
The fast-growing moringa tree, with its many uses, generates woody waste after processing. Instead of being discarded, this waste is now transformed into pellets that serve as a heat source during the leaf drying process, thus closing the production cycle and converting residual biomass into a renewable energy resource.
The project generates significant energy savings and reduces the carbon footprint by replacing the previous electrical heating elements with a renewable energy source. It is estimated that the use of pellets reduces energy consumption for drying by 601%, with a resource efficiency that makes this model a replicable example for other sectors of the Cuban agro-industry.
He Center for Research on Energy Resources and Consumption (CIRCE) He was responsible for conducting technical and economic feasibility studies to determine the suitability of moringa biomass. He was in charge of its characterization and developed the technical design of the pelleting system, evaluating the conversion process of the waste into pellets and their energy potential. Furthermore, he designed the parameters of the combustion system where the pellets are used to generate heat, optimizing the drying process and ensuring maximum energy efficiency.
For their part, ECOFRICALIA, Ecofricalia, a specialist in biomass heating and pelletizing solutions, supplied the pelletizing plant, specifically designed to handle moringa biomass, which has distinct physical and chemical properties compared to other woods. The equipment provided by Ecofricalia is configured to optimize the necessary pressure and temperature to ensure high-quality pellets.
BIOCURVE, On the other hand, it has supplied the biomass boilers. These units feature a gas condensation system and a specialized burner that allows for the combustion of moringa pellets with minimal emissions and an efficiency exceeding 90%. Furthermore, the boilers' design facilitates reduced maintenance, a particularly important factor in a continuous production environment like that of the plant in Cuba.
The drying system, the final stage of the process, utilizes the heat generated from the combustion of the pellets. This system is crucial in moringa production, as proper drying ensures the quality of the leaves and their use in bio-natural products. Thanks to the use of biomass, the drying process is energy-efficient compared to the previously used electric system.
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