Simulation of the quinoa saponin removal process
The traditional process of quinoa, which involves the removal of saponin by wet means, is highly polluting. In Bolivia, quinoa production has had an increase proportional to its great international demand. This fact is putting various ecosystems at risk due to intensive use and pollution in the waters used for the process (5-14 m3/t)
CIPI and CIAA have developed a dry process based on the use of spouted beds. The process has given highly positive results on a small scale (removal of up to 100% with 6.6% loss of mass). At industrial scales the process is not as efficient, showing a weak point in the part of the process of distribution and control of the air flow.
This project aims to propose a modification or redesign of the spouted bed, to improve the efficiency of the process at large scales. This proposal will be based on simulations of the flow and interaction of the air with the grains that will be used to analyze and redesign the nozzles and/or redistribute them.
Responsible Researcher:
Cecilia Tapia Siles, PhD.
Email: ceciliatapia@upb.edu
References about the project: ceciliatapia@upb.edu
