Aproveitamento energético de cascas de pequi na produção de briquetes

Abstract

The use of lignocellulosic biomass derived from domestic waste has become a favorable choice in bioenergy production. In the state of Minas Gerais, the pequi (Caryocar brasilienseCamb.) production chain plays an important economic and social role. However, large-scale commercialization of this product can generate waste that, if not properly managed, poses a significant environmental challenge. In this study, the energy potential of pequi peel biomass was evaluated for the production of briquettes at different moisture levels. Physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the raw biomass were analyzed.The immediate characterization of the biomass revealed a high volatile material content (74.41%), fixed carbon (22.69%), and ash (2.90%), as well as a calorific value of 14.23 MJ kg-1, demonstrating the material's effectiveness for energy production. Chemical analysis showed 69.38% extractives, 10.27% lignin, and 20.35% holocellulose. The thermogravimetric analysis of the peel showed a similar thermodecomposition pattern to other lignocellulosic biomasses. The briquettes were made using a hydraulic press at different moisture levels (5%, 7.5%, and 10%). Compression resistance tests indicated that briquettes with lower moisture content had higher strength. The results of this study suggest that the densification of pequi peel not only significantly reduces the volume of waste and leads to a reduction of approximately 90.42% in total weight, facilitating its handling and storage, but also offers a sustainable solution for bioenergy production.