Physical-Chemical and Energy Characterization of Residual Biomass from Baru Fruit (Dipteryx Alata Vogel)

Abstract

Abstract The use of the fruit of the species Dipteryx alata Vogel (baru) is a highly profitable and expanding activity in the Brazilian market, although the almond of the fruit has high commercial value, the processing of the fruit generates about 87% of residual biomass. The objective of this work was to characterize the biomass and biochar obtained from the residual biomass of the fruit. Biomass was characterized in relation to physical, chemical and energetic properties. Subsequently, biomass carbonization was carried out at different rates of final temperatures (450; 550 and 650 ° C). For carbonization, the gravimetric yield in biochar, bio-oil and non-condensable gases was analyzed. Biochar was characterized in relation to chemical, physical and energetic parameters. The apparent density value found for biomass was 0.917 g.cm−³ while the biochar varied from 0.723 to 0.768 g.cm−³. Regarding the chemical composition of the biomass, the extract value was 9.88%. The total lignin content was 28.29%. For the immediate chemical analysis the values were 0.40 for ash, 18.47% for fixed carbon and 81.34% for volatile materials. The gravimetric yield of biochar at different temperatures ranged from 34.99 to 39.48%, while the yield on condensable gases ranged from 35.36 to 40.33% and the yield on non-condensable gases was around 23.54 to 25, 29%. The calorific value of biomass was 21,176 kj.kg− 1 and biochar up to 35,328a kj.kg− 1. The values found indicate that the residual biomass and biochar from the fruit's pericarp, showed high energy potent.