Compactação de biomassa vegetal visando à produção de biocombustíveis sólidos

Abstract

This research aimed to evaluate briquettes made from coffee husk, eucalyptus sawdust and maize harvesting residues, and the influence of post compaction interval on some properties of the briquettes. After oven drying of the biomass, the briquettes were produced in a laboratory briquetting machine at 120 ºC and 15 MPa. Bulk density and heating value of the fresh biomass were analyzed. After compaction, influence of time on moisture content, volumetric expansion an bulk density of the briquettes was analyzed. From the results, it was observed that milled coffee husk had the highest mean value of bulk density. There was no statistical difference for higher heating value among the biomass analyzed. The effect of pos compaction interval was significant on moisture content based on dry mass and bulk density for all briquettes produced. The briquettes produced from maize harvesting residues had high volumetric expansion. Considering tensile strength by diametric compression, coffee husk briquettes were more resistant. The results highlight the potential of energetic use of briquettes obtained by compaction of coffee husks.