Evaluation of the Potential of Agricultural Waste Recovery: Energy Densification as a Factor for Residual Biomass Logistics Optimization

Leonel J R Nunes,Liliana M E F Loureiro,Daniel E Ciolkosz,David B Devallance,Letícia C R Sá,João C O Matias,Hugo F C Silva,Abel M Rodrigues,Thomas P Causer

doi:10.3390/app11010020

Abstract

The use of residual forms of biomass, resulting from processes of transformation of the agri-food and/or forest industries, presents itself as an alternative with high potential for energy recovery, given the existing availability, both from the perspective of quantities, but also from the perspective of geographic distribution. In this work, samples of four by-products originating from the agri-food industry were collected, namely coconut shells, sugarcane bagasse, cashew nutshells, and palm kernel shells, which were characterized in the laboratory by determining their Thermogravimetric and Elemental analysis, subsequently calculating the High Heating Value, Low Heating Value, Hardgrove Grindability Index, Mass Yield, Energy Yield, and Energy Densification Ratio. The values obtained show the potential to optimize logistical operations related to transportation, demonstrating that energy densification operations, especially if associated with physical densification processes, enable the use of these residual forms of biomass in the replacement of fossil fuels, such as coal.

Highlights

The need for new forms of energy has given rise to a rapid development of energy technologies from all renewable sources [1]
Thermochemical conversion technologies play an important role in this context, since they allow obtaining products with optimized combustible properties from residual biomasses while improving the perspectives of logistics involved in the transport process between the locations of production and consumption in which the latter is associated with energy production
The results were very positive with energy yield (EY) values ranging from 24.5%, for samples of cashew nutshells processed at 400 ◦C, to 72%, for palm kernel shells (PKS) samples processed at 300 ◦C

Summary

Introduction

The need for new forms of energy has given rise to a rapid development of energy technologies from all renewable sources [1]. Those developments led to major technological breakthroughs, which are reflected in greater energy production capacity and cost reductions [2]. The latter is likely the most important factor considered in the choice of a particular type of energy to be implemented. Energy production is one main topic that should be based on a thorough strategic discussion, since, for highly energy-dependent countries, a greater renewable energy production capacity should lead to significant reductions in the balance of transactions as well as a higher level of sustainability, related to economic decarbonization [5]

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion