Caracterização e avaliação do potencial de uso dos resíduos da cafeicultura na produção de biocombustíveis sólidos

Abstract

Coffee is a highly prominent crop in Brazilian agribusiness, with Brazil being the world’s largest producer since the 19th century and the state of Minas Gerais accounting for about one-third of the country’s coffee production. This large-scale coffee production, which is expected to continue growing to meet market demands, results in significant waste generation. Considering that for every 1 kilogram of processed coffee, 1 kilogram of coffee husks and 0.3 kilograms of parchment are produced, it is clear how improper disposal of these byproducts could harm the environment. Aligning with concerns about waste management, there is a growing need to expand energy production methods, particularly those that generate renewable and clean energy, to meet energy market demands while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. Combining these two perspectives, the abundance of coffee farming residues and the demand for sustainable energy, this study focuses on transforming coffee husks and parchment into pellets through compaction. Pellets are a solid biofuel option with versatile applications. To ensure quality, the biomass was analyzed for elemental and structural composition, calorific value, and thermogravimetric properties, while the pellets underwent tests for moisture, density, and durability, complying with current standards. The results demonstrate that coffee husks and parchment have significant potential as raw materials for pellet production. Parchment pellets exhibited superior qualities and required no additional processing to meet regulatory standards, whereas coffee husk pellets needed extended post-production drying. Thus, both types of pellets can be considered viable renewable energy sources and a sustainable solution for coffee farming waste disposal.