ESTUDO COMPARATIVO DO PODER CALORÍFICO DOS BRIQUETES DE BIOMASSA: BAGAÇO DE CANA, MESOCARPO DE COCO E SABUGO DE MILHO, COM ADIÇÃO DE AGLUTINANTES RESIDUAIS

Abstract

The current study is dedicated to the production and comparison of the calorific power of biomass briquettes produced from sugarcane bagasse, coconut mesocarp and corn cob, by adding two residual binders, from commercial and industrial sources. A comprehensive literature review was carried out on the production of those biomass briquettes and the calorific power of different materials, focusing on the mentioned residues. Representative samples of sugarcane bagasse, coconut mesocarp and corn cob were collected and then analyzed in laboratory, in order determine the characteristics of those biomasses, including moisture and specific mass. The production of biomass briquettes was carried out following standardized procedures and using adequate compaction techniques. The experimental tests were conducted to determine the calorific power of the briquettes of each biomass, using calorimeter pump, model C 200 from the IKA brand. The analyzes took place following established norms and guidelines. The results obtained demonstrated the feasibility of agro-industrial residues: sugarcane bagasse, coconut mesocarp and corn cob, for energy purposes, as well as the role of enhancing the burning power of the applied residual binders. The main goal was to identify significant differences and evaluate the energy efficiency of each biomass. The power of the analyzed biomass was satisfactory from the point of view of energy efficiency. The burning powers of the referred biomass did not present significant differences, although the Sugarcane Bagasse showed an advantage over the other biomasses, since its average calorific power was 0.52% greater than that of the briquettes produced from corn on the cob and 3.39% higher than those from coconut mesocarp. The final result of the study allowed demonstrating the feasibility of applying biomass residues as a valuable source of renewable energy, providing concrete data on the calorific value of the briquettes produced from these materials.