Room: Poster Area
Date: Friday, 22 May 2026
Time: 13:45 - 14:45 CEST
Session code 4DV.5
Biomass pre-treatment and production of intermediates (part 2)
Physicochemical and Energetic Characterization of Carnauba–Babassu Biomass Blends for Sustainable Solid Biofuel Applications
Short Introductive summary
The present study evaluates the potential of tropical biomass blends of carnauba (Copernicia prunifera) and babassu (Attalea speciosa) residues for use as solid biofuels. Four mixtures were prepared and analyzed in raw and briquetted forms. A comprehensive analytical approach (proximate analysis, Higher Heating Value (HHV), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), apparent density, and friability) was employed to assess the impact of densification. The briquetting process resulted in a reduction of moisture content and an increase in both fixed carbon and apparent density, as well as enhanced mechanical durability. HHV values ranged from 14.6 to 22.4 MJ kg?¹, while ash content remained below 10 %, indicating good combustion performance. FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin functional groups, preserved after processing. Mechanical durability indices above 95 % confirmed very low friability. These results indicate that carnauba–babassu blends and their briquettes possess a high energetic potential and mechanical integrity, supporting their use as sustainable feedstocks for thermochemical conversion and circular bioeconomy iniciatives.
Presenter
Kennedy COIMBRA
Federal University of Ceara, Mechanical Engineering (Renewable Energy - Biomass), BRAZIL
Presenter's biography
Kennedy Coimbra is a Brazilian researcher in renewable energy, specializing in biomass valorization and densification. He holds an MSc in Mechanical Engineering and is currently pursuing postgraduate studies in Portugal, focusing on sustainable bioenergy and circular bioeconomy.
Biographies and Short introductive summaries are supplied directly by presenters and are published here unedited
Co-authors:
K.R.G. Coimbra, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, BRAZIL
L.C. Da Silva, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, BRAZIL
P.Q. Santiago, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, BRAZIL
P.C. Silva, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, BRAZIL
M.A.S. Rios, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, BRAZIL
Session reference: 4DV.5.10