USO DO GUAPURUVU (Schizolobium parahyba) PARA FINS ENERGÉTICOS

The use of solid biofuel produced by the briquetting process is an alternative source for power generation. The briquette is produced by the compression of lignocellulosic materials, allowing for a higher energy at a lower volume. This work aimed to study the briquetting process of Schizolobium parahyba (guapuruvu). It was evaluated the stability, density, mechanical resistance and friability of the briquettes. The treatments were: T1 (above 40 mesh), T2 (between 40 and 60 mesh) and T3 (below 60 mesh). All treatments were adjusted to a moisture content of 12%. The briquettes were produced by hydraulic press without using heat or binder. The three treatments were statistically different from each other in terms of density, height expansion and diametrical compression resistance. The treatment T3 showed the best results for all parameters, with the highest values for density (0.932 g.cm-3) and mechanical resistance (0.485 MPa). Also, T3 presented the lowest friability (8.35%). The results showed that the particle size interferes in the final product characteristics. The study showed that guapuruvu could be an alternative for solid biofuel production