Desenvolvimento de sistema contínuo para torrefação de biomassa para fins energéticos

Abstract

The great potential of the torrefaction process has drawn the attention of academia and different sectors of the industry, with purposes for generating and processing energy from in natura biomass as an alternative to diversifying the use of fossil fuels. However, the technological advancement of biomass torrefaction scale presents a commercial gap in the accessible literature when it comes to commercial or industrial scale treatment. In this work, the activity of bibliometrics and prospection was initiated as the main collaborative networks of authors, institutions and countries working in the scientific area of torrefaction. In analysis, experiments were carried out in a laboratory torrefactor, in batch, analyzing the effects of the intrinsic characteristics of the biomass of Prosopis juliflora (P.juliflora - Algaroba) post-torrefaction, such as the mass balance, followed immediately, elemental, inorganic analysis, energetic parameters, inorganic composition and density. Based on this, a continuous biomass torrefaction system was developed, built and validated, based on a state-of-the-art derivative model of special helicoidal technology, with a nominal capacity of 15 kg/hour for woody biomass; temperature monitoring performed by a supervisory developed from Arduino hardware and software components. The validation of the torrefaction system occurred from tests of torrefaction and torrefaction unit tests, the system unit set and continuous experimental reports with a P.juliflora biomass at temperatures of 200, 250 and 300 °C, carried out in duplicate , and as for immediate analysis, elemental analysis and calorific value. The continuous torrefaction system with validated conveyors, free software and hardware and the use of biomass aimed to contribute to the technological scope and application of the sector, in the insertion of technologies related to the concept of industry 4.0 and in the diversification of raw materials for generating energy from biomass in more isolated regions and, indirectly, assisting in political-technical-administrative decision-making.