Characterization of biomasses from the north and northeast regions of Brazil for processes in biorefineries

Abstract

In search for renewable energy sources, the Brazilian residual biomasses stand out due to their favorable physical and chemical properties, low cost, and their being less pollutant. Therefore, they are likely to be used in biorefineries in the production of chemical inputs to substitute fossil fuels. This substitution is possible due to the high contents of carbohydrates (>40%), low contents of extractives (<20%), ashes (<8%) and moisture (<8%) found in these residual biomasses. High calorific values of all residues also offer them the chance to be used in combustion. A principal components analysis (PCA) was performed for better understanding of the samples and their hysic-chemical properties. Thus, this study aimed to characterize biomasses from the north (babassu residues, such as mesocarp and endocarp; pequi and Brazil nut) and northeast (agave and coconut) regions of Brazil, in order to contribute to the preservation of the environment and strengthen the economy of the region.Keywords: bioproducts; biorefinery; hysic-chemical properties; lignocellulosic residues.Practical Application: The Production of Sustainable Biofuels from the Residues and Wastes of Brazil principally of north of the country with technologies to help reduce the need for fossil diesel imports, improving the security of energy supply. Therefore rapid analytical methods can be used to analysis biomass and waste feedstocks pointing out the more promising candidates.

Sustainability of Biorefinery Processes Based on Baru Biomass Waste

“…A Soxhlet extractor was used in the extraction process; short reaction times (5 h) were associated with high ethanol concentrations (95%) in order to enable higher yield rates, based on Rambo et al 13 Extractive contents were calculated through equation 2.…”

“…Low ash concentrations are advantageous in pyrolysis processes because they represent low probability of ash deposition and incrustation, as well as of oven surface corrosion. 13 Low ash contents avoid issues such as increased acid consumption in acid hydrolysis processes.…”

The Response Surface Methodology as a tool to optimize the extraction and acid hydrolysis processes applied to babassu residues

“…The mesocarp and endocarp are mainly composed of (RAMBO et al, 2015a) carbohydrates (63.8% and 57.8%) lignin (28.6% and 29.2%) and extractives (1.55% and 5.0%), respectively.…”

Utilization of cocoa activated carbon for trimethylamine and hydrogen sulfide gas removals in a confined space and its techno‐economic analysis and life‐cycle analysis

“…Van Krevelen diagram of cocoa and rice husk activated carbon. Rice husk and rice husk activated carbon imported from Nam et al and coconut shells imported from Rambo et al AC, activated carbon; RH, rice husk…”