For every nine tons of produced biodiesel, there is another ton of glycerol as a byproduct. Therefore, glycerol prices dropped significantly worldwide in recent years; the more significant biodiesel production is, the more glycerol exists as a byproduct. glycerol prices also impact the biodiesel manufacturing business, as it could be sold according to its refinement grade. The primary objective of this work was to evaluate the economic potential of the production of 1,2-propanediol derived from the biodiesel produced in Colombia. A plant to produce 1,2-propanediol via catalytic hydrogenation of glycerol in a trickle-bed reactor was designed. The plant comprised a reaction scheme where non-converted excess hydrogen was recycled, and the heat generated in the reactor was recovered. The reactor effluent was sent to a separation train where 98% m/m purity 1,2-propanediol was attained. Capital and operational costs were estimated from the process simulation. The net present value (NPV) and the modified internal return rate (MIRR) of the plant were used to assess the viability of the process. Their sensitivity to key input variables was evaluated to find the viability limits of the project. The economic potential of the 1,2-propanediol was calculated in USD 1.2/kg; for the base case, the NPV and the MIRR were USD 54.805 million and 22.56%, respectively, showing that, for moderate variations in products and raw material prices, the process is economically viable.

Increasing concerns over water pollution have driven the search for sustainable wastewater treatment alternatives. This study evaluates the effectiveness of two coagulants derived from Moringa oleifera seeds–powder and extract–as sustainable solutions for wastewater reuse in agriculture. Comparative experiments were conducted using aluminum sulfate, a conventional coagulant, at various doses under controlled laboratory conditions. The results demonstrated that both M. oleifera-based coagulants were highly effective, achieving turbidity reductions of 97% and 99%, respectively. Notably, the powder form required lower doses than the extract but had longer sedimentation times. Further detailed analyses at optimized doses (500 mg/500 mL for powder and 12.5 mL/500 mL for extract) met international standards for wastewater quality in agricultural irrigation. Comprehensive analyses encompassing pH, turbidity, COD, BOD₅, TSS, DO, conductivity, NO₂⁻, NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻, PO₄³⁻, and fecal and total coliforms consistently adhered to stringent criteria, confirming the effectiveness of M. oleifera-derived coagulants. These findings highlight the potential of M. oleifera in wastewater treatment, offering sustainable solutions to environmental challenges and enhancing food security in resource-limited regions. Our research supports the broader adoption of these eco-friendly alternatives, which could significantly reduce water scarcity and promote sustainable agricultural practices, addressing critical environmental concerns.

Freight transportation can be defined as the movement of goods and services to customers to obtain a monetary reward. Poor quality transport infrastructure implies higher travelling times and costs. This indirectly affects the productivity of a region since transportation costs are directly related to sales prices. Therefore, infrastructure investments become important for improving the competitiveness of a region. The problem with these investments is that they take time and require a large amount of money. Consequently, it is extremely important to prioritise this type of investment. This paper will first explain whether transportation investment or a sustainable transportation method affect the exported freight accessibility and if it also affects regional productivity using a linear regression model with the aid of a data-driven geographical information system. It uses spatial separation, gravity, and cumulative opportunity measures to calculate accessibility. Finally, the paper denotes which regions are highly affected by improvements in road, river, and railway networks using Colombia as a case study. The comparison considers travelling time and costs savings under each scenario. The results indicate that the gravity measure was the most appropriate accessibility measure for analysing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The scenario analyses suggest that zones farthest from the seaports are more sensitive to accessibility changes; consequently, they will receive higher improvements in their regional GDP with a national-level implementation of transport infrastructure investments. Thus, project prioritisation should be performed in regions where the investments lead to a decreased travel cost between regions and ports.

Maritime ports play a pivotal role in fostering the growth of domestic and international trade and economies. As ports continue to expand in size and capacity, the impact of their operations on air quality and climate change becomes increasingly significant. While nearby regions may experience economic benefits, there are significant concerns regarding the emission of atmospheric pollutants, which have adverse effects on both human health and climate change. Predictive modeling of port emissions can serve as a valuable tool in identifying areas of concern, evaluating the effectiveness of emission reduction strategies, and promoting sustainable development within ports. The primary objective of this research is to utilize machine learning frameworks to estimate the emissions of SO₂ from ships during various port activities, including hoteling, maneuvering, and cruising. By employing these models, we aim to gain insights into the emission patterns and explore strategies to mitigate their impact. Through our analysis, we have identified the most effective models for estimating SO₂ emissions. The AutoML TPOT framework emerges as the top-performing model, followed by Non-Linear Regression with interaction effects. On the other hand, Linear Regression exhibited the lowest performance among the models evaluated. By employing these advanced machine learning techniques, we aim to contribute to the body of knowledge surrounding port emissions and foster sustainable practices within the maritime industry.