Evaluation of the potential energy of green coconut shells for achievement in production of briquettes

Abstract

Considering the high generation of biomass waste of green coconut in Maceió-AL based on consumption of fruit by filling industries of coconut water and fresh consumption of fruits sold by traders the edge of Maceió, estimated at 270 thousand of fruits per year, this paper characterizes the energetic potential of green coconut shells to use this waste in the form of briquettes as a replacement for firewood, mostly originated from illegal source, for obtaining thermal energy in industrial furnaces. It was evaluated the energetic potential of biomass, their physicochemical characteristics pre and post-briquetting and the processes involved in this production from the bark of the coconut. After processing the residues were classified into powder and fiber, with heating value of 18.48 and 19.47 MJ/kg, respectively. In addition, it was analyzed the market for briquettes in the city, from major manufacturers to current and potential customers, identifying a large space in trade for using briquette from coconut husk.