Produção e caracterização energética de briquetes in natura e carbonizado de sabugo de milho

Abstract

This study investigated the production and energy characterization of briquettes made from fresh corncobs (MC) and a 50%–50% blend of corncobs and corncobs, comparing them with firewood and charcoal. The aim was to evaluate the potential of these briquettes as sustainable fuels, aiming to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. The briquettes were produced under 10 MPa pressure and 120°C. The analyses included determination of particle size, moisture content, volatiles, ash, fixed carbon, and calorific value. The results indicated that MC has a high volatile content (82.15%) and low ash content (2.82%), favoring ignition. The SMC 50%-50% sample stood out for its high fixed carbon content (33.25%) and superior calorific value (4,790 kcal/kg), resulting in greater thermal stability. The energy density of the briquettes was 2 to 3 times greater than that of uncompressed biomass. In combustion tests, the SMC-50%-50% briquettes demonstrated thermal performance close to that of charcoal, with a Combustion Index (ICOM) of 0.65 and a yield of 55.99% in the water boiling test, significantly surpassing firewood, which yielded 29.35%. It is concluded that briquettes produced from corncobs, especially when mixed with carbonized corncobs, are viable and environmentally sustainable alternatives for partially replacing firewood and charcoal, promoting the use of agricultural waste and contributing to the reduction of deforestation.