Estudo da viabilidade da produção de briquetes a partir da biomassa da Eichhornia crassipes (Aguapé).

Abstract

The search for alternative energy sources has driven much research around the world. In this sense this work investigates the production of briquettes of macrophyte biomass Eichhornia Crassipes, better known as water hyacinth. The water hyacinth is considered a species harmful to environment due to their rapid growth in dams, sometimes covering some all surface of the lakes. This fact prevents the passage of light and impairs the oxygenation of water. Thus the production of briquettes from water hyacinth biomass can contribute to minimize the environmental impact that this macrophyte has on dams and on the other hand can still provide solid fuel for applications in industrial boilers, bakeries and thermoelectric plants. The Briquettes were compacted in a hydraulic press under a pressure of 10 Ton / cm2. The The results showed that the water hyacinth biomass suited the production of briquettes very well. As a binding agent, the application of crude glycerin obtained from the production of biodiesel. The addition of glycerin was tested in the proportions of 5, 10 and 15 mL per 100g of biomass and The results showed that glycerin is a very efficient binder in the production of briquettes. Studies on the ash content in water hyacinth biomass have shown that it presents a somewhat high value, around 14%. A more detailed study showed that inorganic matter (ashes) contained in the water hyacinth biomass is mainly attached to the roots of the plant that presented the value of 28% of ashes, being the stem with 6.9% and the leaves with 5.4%. This study showed that it would be interesting to wash the roots before the drying process. biomass. It was also analyzed the volatile materials content, which is a parameter that is directly related to calorific value. A volatile content of 84.7% was obtained. Since the higher the volatile content, the higher the calorific value of the fuel. Finally, it is concluded that the production of briquettes from the water hyacinth biomass is a viable alternative and can contribute to the supply of renewable solid fuels, and contribute to reducing the environmental damage caused by the exacerbated growth of this macrophyte in reservoir waters.