Effect of extractive removal and heating rates on pequi seed torrefaction: A detailed kinetic and predictive study for biofuel production
Pedro Paulo de Oliveira Rodrigues,
Giulia Cruz Lamas,
Grace F. Ghesti,
Lucélia A. Macedo,
Sandra M. Luz,
José Luiz Francisco Alves,
Thiago de Paula Protásio,
Patrick Rousset and
Edgar A. Silveira
Energy, 2025, vol. 321, issue C
Abstract:
This study uniquely applied the two-step reaction model to predict kinetics, solid yield (SY), and biocoal properties for valorizing raw (PS) and de-oiled (PSWE) pequi (Caryocar brasiliense) seed residues via torrefaction. It highlights the impact of extractives on kinetic behavior and biocoal properties, establishing an optimal biofuel valorization pathway. Torrefaction experiments were conducted at 200–300 °C, holding times of 20–60 min, and heating rates of 7–15 °C min−1. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed distinct thermal behaviors between PS and PSWE, particularly at 225–250 °C, linked to the decomposition of unsaturated fatty acids and carotenoids. Extractive removal influenced SY during light torrefaction but not under severe conditions, enabling chemical valorization without yield loss. The model predicted torrefaction outcomes with high accuracy (R2 = 0.97–0.98). Predicted HHVs and energy yields ranged from 22.89 to 24.70 MJ kg−1 and 85.8–48.81 % (PS) and 18.84–22.79 MJ kg−1 and 96.54–54.84 % (PSWE). Sobol sensitivity analysis identified temperature as the most influential factor (45.84–50.04 %), followed by holding time (25.8–33.57 %), with minimal heating rate impact (<2.6 %). Integrating circular economy principles, this work underscores the dual valorization of biomass as biofuel and extractives as potential biorefinery feedstock, aligning with SDGs 7 (Clean Energy) and 13 (Climate Action).
Keywords: Energy transition; Biomass thermal decomposition; Reaction kinetics simulation; Energy content improvement; Soxhlet extraction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:
Downloads: (external link)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544225011636
Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.
Export reference: BibTeX
RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan)
HTML/Text
Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:321:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225011636
DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.135521
Access Statistics for this article
Energy is currently edited by Henrik Lund and Mark J. Kaiser
More articles in Energy from Elsevier
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Catherine Liu ().