Abstract
Different waste biomasses have enormous potential for the production of
solid fuel using carbonization techniques to many energy purposes.
Synthesis of carbonaceous materials with different morphologies,
porosity and chemical composition, using a simple and low-cost technique
as hydrothermal carbonization has a huge potential to add value to the
production chain of babassu, a regional palm. In this work, two
important waste biomasses, derived from babassu coconut, called mesocarp
and babassu kernel bran have been used as precursors to produce
structured carbonaceous materials via hydrothermal carbonization. The
produced hydrochars (HTCs) were characterized and their fuel properties
were evaluated. The highest heating value (HHV) revealed values of up to
24.83 MJ/kg for hydrochar from mesocarp and up to 28.91 MJ/kg for
hydrochar from babassu kernel bran, showing an increase of 69 % and 89
% of energy yield, respectively, in comparison with the respective
precursor waste biomass. Furthermore, the energy density of hydrochars
has increased with increasing treatment temperature. The chemical
analysis have shown that fuel efficiency of mesocarp hydrochars has
improved, such as reduction of ash content, volatile matter and oxygen
amount as well as increment of total carbon and fixed carbon content.
The evolution of biomass carbonization, as determined by FT-IR and Raman
measurements, showed that most carbohydrates and proteins were
decomposed at above 160 degrees C. The aromaticity of hydrochars
increased with increasing temperature taking into account considerable
amounts of functional groups remained in the hydrochars after
hydrothermal treatment.
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