Análise do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar como fonte de energia

Abstract

Sugarcane stands out historically in Brazil as one of the main commodities, also contributing to the colonization. Currently, Brazil is the world’s largest sugarcane producer, with 750 million tons produced in 2020, representing 40.5% of world production. Approximately 28% of the sugarcane mass is reduced to bagasse, one of main agro-industrial residues. Discarded for years, it became relevant generating energy for sugar alcohol factories through its combustion in boilers, also providing a new source of revenue through the sale of surplus electricity. The versatility of sugarcane, alied with the search for sustainable sources to replace fossil fuels, shows the need of study and knowledge of the characteristics of this biomass, in order to achieve greater efficiency from the combustion process. Therefore, this study carried out the characterization of bagasse in terms of apparent specific gravity, particle size distribution with models adjustmentment, proximate and thermogravimetric analysis. Also, agglomeration process were carried out for the material with different particle size, as well as the combustion of an optimized pellet. The analyzed biomass was heterogeneous and irregular, with 60% of the particles smaller than 1.5 mm, favoring the combustion of the material. From the proximate analysis, high volatile content and low ash concentration were obtained, promoting ignition and reducing residues generated during burning, but its humidity was higher than 31%, an increased value, reinforcing the need for a drying step preceding the burning. The thermogravimetric analysis showed the presence of elevated heating value organic compunds, and the negative efects of the water in the material, with less energy released during combustion and a larger formation of residues. Its compaction was satisfactory, verifying direct interference of the particle size in the quality of the pellets. The higher heating value obtained was 16.22 MJ/kg, emphasizing the energy potential of this residual biomass. The importance of biomass characterization was verified through the results obtained, and sugarcane bagasse proved to be favorable to combustion for energy generation.