AN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY GENERATION FROM CHARCOAL PRODUCED FROM BRAZILIAN PINE (Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Ktze) SEED RESIDUES

Abstract

The perspective is that the energy demand will grow in the coming decades worldwide. The search for renewable energy sources is urgent and necessary. Residual biomass may be a promising source of raw material for obtaining bioenergy. Thus, this research sought to evaluate the energetic and physicochemical properties of residues from the seeds of Brazilian pine (Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Ktze). The chemical analysis included the extractive, holocellulose, and Klason lignin contents. The residues were pyrolyzed according to the final temperature of each process (300 ºC – 550 ºC) and a control treatment. The proximate analysis was performed to determine the moisture content, volatile matter, ash, and fixed carbon. We determined bulk density, the higher heating value, and the net heating value. The determination of the energetic density was also calculated. The residues showed significant values in lignin and extractives. The pyrolysis treatments performed at the final temperature of 350 ºC and 400 ºC presented a higher value of gravimetric charcoal yield. The charcoal obtained at 500 ºC and 550 ºC had better energetic properties. The Brazilian pine seed residues under the pyrolysis process presented desirable energy characteristics, showing its potential for use as a raw material in bioenergy generation.