Abstract
The present work analyzed the energy generation potential of Buriti (Mauritia flexuosa L. f.) by thermochemical reactions. The experimental part of the study performed immediate analyses, elemental analyses, lignocellulosic analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, calorific values, and syn gas concentrations measurements of the gasification of Buriti in a fixed-bed reactor. Additionally, numerical simulations estimated the syn gas concentrations of the gasification reactions of Buriti. The immediate analysis showed that Buriti has the highest ash content (4.66%) and highest volatile matter content (85%) compared to other Brazilian biomass analyzed, but the higher heating value was only 18.28 MJ.kg−1. The elemental analysis revealed that the oxygen to carbon ratio was 0.51 while hydrogen to carbon ratio was 1.74, indicating a good thermal conversion efficiency. The Lignocellulosic analysis of Buriti resulted in a high content of holocellulose (69.64%), a lignin content of 28.21% and extractives content of 7.52%. The thermogravimetry of the Buriti indicated that the highest mass loss (51.92%) occurred in a temperature range between 150 °C and 370 °C. Lastly, the experimental gasification study in a fixed-bed updraft gasifier resulted in syn gas concentrations of 14.4% of CO, 11.5% of CO2 and 17.5% of H2 while the numerical simulation results confirmed an optimal equivalence ratio of 1.7 to maximize CO and H2 concentrations. Therefore, based on the results presented by the present work, the gasification process is adequate to transform Buriti wastes into energy resources.Graphic abstract
Highlights
The growing and diversified waste production, linked to intensive urbanization and the use restriction of free areas, leads to proposing viable and economical management solutions, in order to potentialize reuse and reduce waste production [1]
Several inputs profiles are studied towards making other biomass purveyance feasible, such as: agricultural crops waste [6], forest waste [7], waste generated in agro-industrials steps, organic portion of the urban solid waste (USW) [8] and animal fertilizers [9]
EB moisture content is close to the other residue values listed in Table 1, except to Acai Seeds’ value [18,19,20]
Summary
The growing and diversified waste production, linked to intensive urbanization and the use restriction of free areas, leads to proposing viable and economical management solutions, in order to potentialize reuse and reduce waste production [1]. Biomass used for energy production stands out in this integration context, in a more sustainable production context, and in an entire waste management chain. Some studies on gasification address the use of woody materials as raw material for producing synthesis gas (since it is a biomass type already widely used for several other products), such as its use in downdraft gasifiers [5,6,7,8]. Other biomass types can be inserted in this conversion chain, being clearly evaluated aspects regarding nature, chemical composition, environmental, in addition to economic and logistic factors linked to their origin [4]. Several inputs profiles are studied towards making other biomass purveyance feasible, such as: agricultural crops waste [6], forest waste [7], waste generated in agro-industrials steps, organic portion of the urban solid waste (USW) [8] and animal fertilizers [9]
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