Abstract
The largest production of Creole avocado in Colombia is found in the north zone, mainly in the Montes de María region, but due to weather conditions, the presence of pests, or transportation routes, a high percentage of the production is damaged. As a way to take advantage of the fruit not suitable for exportation, it is possible to obtain different products such as avocado oil, since this fruit contains around 30 % of crude oil. Accordingly, it is necessary to evaluate the oil production process from a safety point of view. The Inherent safety index, or ISI, allows a global measurement of safety in the early design stages of chemical processes. To carry out the process safety analysis, the risks associated with the use of chemical substances were first identified, determining their index of toxicity, corrosion, flammability, explosiveness, and the chemical reactions if necessary. Second, the risks of the process were evaluated, taking into account the equipment involved, manufacturing material, temperatures, and pressures that are handled. An Inherent safety index of 17 points was obtained, which indicates that the process is safe despite working with substances such as hexane and sodium hypochlorite and using equipment such as ovens and distillation columns.
