Work

Diagnosis of the Solid Biofuel Process from Agave Bagasse Through Arena Simulation

Year: 2026

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: In Mexico, mezcal production relies heavily on firewood, consuming up to 246 m3 per artisanal batch and producing approximately 2.4 t of bagasse for every 6 t of fermented Agave. This residue, with a calorific value of ≈19.4 MJ/kg, is a promising alternative to solid biofuels. Using a discrete-event simulation in Arena™ (version 16.20.09), the substitution of firewood with processed bagasse briquettes was evaluated at a distillery in the region of Tecamachalco. The model included drying, grinding, briquetting, and distillation, analyzing yield, resource use, and bottlenecks. Sensitivity analyses identified solar drying as the main constraint. The results show a reduction of up to ~30% in firewood consumption, promoting the principles of the circular bioeconomy and sustainable rural energy transition.

DOI: 10.3390/engproc2025117050

Authors: Cristian Navarrete-Aguirre, J. Arturo Olguín-Rojas, Paulina Aguirre-Lara, Maurilio Tobón Gómez, José Miguel Téllez-Zepeda

Institutions: Universidad Tecnológica de Tecamachalco, Tecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico de Veracruz

Language: English

Topic: Biofuel production and bioconversion

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Affordable and clean energy, Climate action, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

OpenAlex ID: W7128926293

FWCI:

Cites: 11

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Related to: 10