Valorisation of Agricultural Residues

[EN] The aim of the present PhD Thesis is to define, develop and evaluate a methodology for an improved and more sustainable management of waste, in particular agricultural residues, turning them into a new source of energy and into added value products. Particular attention is paid to the use of rice straw as an energy vector and as a precursor of silica-based compounds. The recovery of energy was carried through the gasification of biomass within a Spouted Bed Reactor. An initial definition of the main physico-chemical and thermal properties of the feed was performed. The design and operational parameters of the reactor were set according to the characteristics of the biomass. Due to the particular configuration of the reactor, its fluid dynamic properties were analysed in detail in a lab scale unit. The conditions of stability of the reactor and the prevention of segregation phenomena were studied. A scaled-up unit was used for the evaluation of the reactions of gasification of the different residues. The behaviour of the system was modelled at both fluid dynamic and thermo-chemical levels with the aid of different commercial softwares. Finally, a material valorisation was performed. The extraction of silica from the ashes resulting from the thermo-chemical process was studied. Their application as adsorbent materials for the removal of nitrates in water was discussed. [ES] El objetivo de la presente tesis doctoral es definir, desarrollar y evaluar una metodología eficiente de gestión de residuos, en particular agrícolas, para convertirlos en una nueva fuente de energía y en productos de valor añadido. Se estudia con especial atención el uso de la paja de arroz como vector energético y como precursor de productos basados en sílice. Las reacciones de recuperación energética se han llevado a cabo a través de la gasificación de la biomasa en reactores de tipo Spouted Bed. Para ello, se han definido las propiedades físico-químicas y de comportamiento térmico de los residuos estudiados. Los parámetros de diseño y operación del reactor han sido definidos de acuerdo a las características del material tratado. Debido a la particular configuración del reactor, las propiedades fluido- dinámicas del sistema se han analizado en detalle en una unidad a escala de laboratorio. En ella se han estudiado las condiciones de estabilidad del reactor y aquellas que previenen los procesos de segregación. Se ha utilizado una unidad escalada a dimensiones de planta piloto para