RESUMO

The interest of biofuel producers in Neotropical species that have high growth rates, slight wood density variability, and elemental composition that does not compromise the environment has increased in recent decades. We investigated the density and chemical characteristics of wood of Schizolobium parahyba var. amazonicum (Huber × Ducke) Barneby as a source for the generation of bioenergy. Apparent radial wood density profiles (X-ray densitometry (XRD)) and the elemental distribution (X-ray fluorescence (XRF)) of Cl, S, K, and Ca in the wood of nine S. parahyba var. amazonicum trees, divided into three diameter classes (I = 15.5, II = 19.5, and III = 23.5 cm) were analyzed. The high heating value (HHV) of the wood samples was determined, and the energy density was estimated by the product of the HHV and the apparent density. Trees that grew better (classes II and III) produced wood with higher density. These trees showed higher concentrations of K and S, and lower concentrations of Ca and Cl. The highest Cl concentrations were observed in classes with smaller diameters. The chlorine levels met the standards for use of this wood as fuel, but the sulfur levels were higher than the threshold recommended by the ISO 17225-3:2021 guidelines, which can limit the use of the species for certain energy uses. The wood of S. parahyba var. amazonicum had interesting characteristics for the production of bioenergy due to its low density, so it can be used in the production of solid biofuels such as pellets and briquettes. Monitoring chlorine and sulfur is important, since during the combustion of biomass they are released into the atmosphere and can negatively contribute to the effects of climate change.

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RESUMO

Tannins are polyphenols that can be extracted from different parts of the plant and have different known commercial applications. The extraction of tannins generates a significant amount of low-density wastes. An alternative that can be applied to ensure energy reuse of this low-density waste is a densification process, such as briquetting. Thus, this research work aimed to assess the energy potential of the residue from the extraction of tannins of different forest species, aiming at its energy reuse in the form of briquettes. Stem barks of 6 forest species (Acacia mangium, AM; Anacardium occidentale, AO; Anadenanthera colubrina, AC; Azadirachta indica, AI; Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia, MC; Mimosa tenuiflora, MT) were used after tannin extraction. Bulk density, energy (higher, lower, and net heating value) and thermal (TG/DTG) properties, and chemical constitution (extractives, lignin, and holocellulose) of the materials were determined. In addition, briquette compaction ratio, apparent density, volumetric expansion, and water adsorption over the days were evaluated. The highest bulk densities were found in the barks of Anadenanthera colubrina (0.529 g.cm-3) and Mimosa tenuiflora (0.407 g.cm-3), whereas the species that showed the best result of higher heating value was Acacia mangium (20.44 MJ.kg-1), followed by Azadirachta indica (19.39 MJ.kg-1) and Mimosa caesalpiniifolia (18.85 MJ.kg-1). Briquetting increased the density of the evaluated material by 2.3 to 4.9 times. All briquettes produced with wastes from tannin extraction evaluated in this work showed potential for energy production. With more information on the quantification of waste generated and data on the economic viability of production, these tannin-producing industries can benefit both environmentally and economically, by reusing these wastes for energy production.

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RESUMO

Charcoal is an important product widely used in food preparation in many parts of the world, both in developing and developed countries. However, most of the time, the main qualitative characteristics for consumers and the environment are not considered during production. Developing energy-efficient products for food preparation has been a constant pursuit of the charcoal supply chain and the aim of this study was to interact with charcoal consumers to become conversant with and classify the characteristics suitable for barbecue use. To achieve our objectives, we used the quality function deployment (QFD) method. The qualitative needs were deployed together with a multidisciplinary team assembled through interviews with several charcoal consumers. The cause and effect factors were also determined by the Ishikawa method. The technical demands of the product had the following priority order: ease of ignition, rapid formation of embers and flames, fast preparation of grilled food, and affordability. The factors relating to raw material, labor, and methodology emerged as decisive in the quality of charcoal for barbecue, and future studies should consider incorporating the results obtained in the production of charcoal and the respective consumer analysis.(AU)

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RESUMO

Charcoal is an important product widely used in food preparation in many parts of the world, both in developing and developed countries. However, most of the time, the main qualitative characteristics for consumers and the environment are not considered during production. Developing energy-efficient products for food preparation has been a constant pursuit of the charcoal supply chain and the aim of this study was to interact with charcoal consumers to become conversant with and classify the characteristics suitable for barbecue use. To achieve our objectives, we used the quality function deployment (QFD) method. The qualitative needs were deployed together with a multidisciplinary team assembled through interviews with several charcoal consumers. The cause and effect factors were also determined by the Ishikawa method. The technical demands of the product had the following priority order: ease of ignition, rapid formation of embers and flames, fast preparation of grilled food, and affordability. The factors relating to raw material, labor, and methodology emerged as decisive in the quality of charcoal for barbecue, and future studies should consider incorporating the results obtained in the production of charcoal and the respective consumer analysis.

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RESUMO

Uma importante retomada de crescimento, observada nos últimos dez anos, vem tomando conta da tendência de declínio do consumo de madeira para energia no Brasil, iniciada na metade do século passado. Diante desse fato, o uso energético continua representando o maior consumo de madeira para um fim específico no país, atingindo 61 por cento do volume total. Em que pese tal aspecto, há ainda muito a ser conquistado, quanto à definição e à implantação de ações pragmáticas, para a real valorização desse uso no país. Neste trabalho são debatidos os aspectos quantitativos relacionado a tal aplicação, seu espaço estratégico e as demandas de definições e de ações a ela relacionadas. É ainda mostrado que antigas necessidades ainda não foram devidamente contempladas, no sentido da consolidação dessa importante e fundamental forma de aplicação da madeira, considerando-se os dias atuais, em que a utilização de fontes fósseis de energia está sendo fortemente questionada.

In the last ten years, an important restoration of wood consumption for energy production purposes in Brazil has been taking place, going against a decline tendency initiated in the mid 1900s. For that reason, energy production still represents the greatest demand of wood for a determined application: 61 percent of the total volume. However, there is still a lot to conquer in the definition and implantation of pragmatic actions for the valorization of this practice in the country. In this paper, quantitative aspects of this application will be discussed, as well as its strategic scope and the request for the definition of actions and plans. Long-felt needs for the consolidation of this important and fundamental application of wood that havenÆt been fulfilled are also pointed out, considering the current debate in which the use of fossil energy sources is being challenged.

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