Pyrolysis and wood by-products of species from the Brazilian semi-arid region

Abstract

ResumoEste estudo teve por objetivo analisar a madeira de dez espécies endêmicas da região do semiárido brasileiro, sobretudo quando submetida à pirólise e caracterização do extrato pirolenhoso. Na madeira foram analisados os teores de extrativos totais, lignina e cinzas, poder calorífico e a composição química elementar (C, H, O, N, S). Amostras foram submetidas ao processo de pirólise flash sob uma temperatura de 500 °C com um tempo de permanência de 5 minutos. Os rendimentos em carvão vegetal, líquido pirolenhoso e gases não condensáveis foram determinados. Os extratos de líquidos pirolenhosos foram analisados por meio de cromatografia a gás (GC/MS) com o intuito de detecção de compostos orgânicos. A madeira das espécies Mimosa tenuiflora e Poincianella pyramidalis mostraram-se as mais indicadas para uso de biomassa para energia e para a produção de carvão vegetal em função dos seus elevados teores de lignina, rendimentos em carvão e líquido pirolenhoso. Detectou-se nos extratos pirolenhosos compostos oxigenados, como ácidos carboxílicos, ésteres, éteres e cetonas, além de fenóis, guaiacóis e derivados fenólicos.Palavras-chave: energia da biomassa; líquido pirolenhoso; cromatografia gasosa. AbstractThe objective of this study was to analyze wood from ten species, endemic of the Brazilian semi-arid region, especially when subjected to pyrolysis and characterization of pyroligneous extract. In the wood, the total extractive, lignin and ash contents, the calorific value, and the elementary chemical composition (C, H, O, N, S) were analyzed. Samples were subjected to the flash pyrolysis process at a temperature of 500 °C with a residence time of 5 minutes. The yields of charcoal, pyroligneous liquid, and non-condensing gases were determined. Pyroligneous liquid extracts were analyzed through gas chromatography (GC/MS) with the objective of detecting organic compounds. The wood of the Mimosa tenuiflora and Poincianella pyramidalis species was the most suitable for using biomass for energy purposes and to produce charcoal due to its high lignin content, charcoal yields and pyroligneous liquid. Oxygenated compounds, such as carboxylic acids, esters, ethers and ketones, as well as phenols, guaiacols and phenolic derivates were detected in the pyroligneous extracts.

Thermal Profile of Wood Species From the Brazilian Semi-Arid Region Submitted to Pyrolysis

“…According to Oliveira et al (2006) and Paes et al (2012), the demand for new biomass energy products has increased in the Brazilian semi-arid region, enhancing the interest in native vegetation as a source for firewood and charcoal production. Despite the importance of Caatinga vegetation as an energy source, there is a lack of information about its native species and their energy potential, specifically regarding charcoal production for industrial and domestic uses (Dias Júnior et al, 2018). Some Caatinga species have already been studied for energy, such as Mimosa tenuiflora, Piptadenia stipulacea, Caesalpinia pyramidalis, Aspidosperma pyrifolium among others (Carneiro, et al, 2013;Dias Júnior et al, 2018).…”

“…Despite the importance of Caatinga vegetation as an energy source, there is a lack of information about its native species and their energy potential, specifically regarding charcoal production for industrial and domestic uses (Dias Júnior et al, 2018). Some Caatinga species have already been studied for energy, such as Mimosa tenuiflora, Piptadenia stipulacea, Caesalpinia pyramidalis, Aspidosperma pyrifolium among others (Carneiro, et al, 2013;Dias Júnior et al, 2018). However, the knowledge of a greater number of species can facilitate the management practices in the region in order to obtain raw material for various industrial activities.…”

“…It is within this context that the economic activities of charcoal production and extraction of pyroligneous liquid take place. An important part of the actions includes laboratory studies to obtain basic results and support field-scale charcoal and pyroligneous liquid production (Dias Júnior et al, 2018).…”

Investigando o uso de resíduos do processamento da madeira de eucalipto para a produção de combustíveis sólidos compactados

“…Os maiores valores (Tabela 1) foram observados para a casca e serragem carbonizadas a 600 ºC. Temperaturas elevadas degradam mais o material possibilitando maiores liberações de gases [4,25].…”

In vitro conservation of Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.) L.P. Queiroz under minimal growth conditions

“…It is popularly known as 'catingueira', 'pau-de-rato', 'catingueira-das-folhas-largas', 'mussitaiba' and 'paude-porco' (Leite;Machado, 2009;Gomes-Copeland et al, 2017). The species has diverse potential uses, such as for wood and charcoal (Maia, 2004;Dias Júnior et al, 2018), for medicinal purposes (Chaves et al, 2016;Souza et al, 2018), for replanting of degraded areas and in agroforestry systems (Maia, 2012).…”