Subcritical Water Hydrolysis Of Sugarcane Bagasse: An Approach On Solid Residues Characterization

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Reducing sugars obtained from sugarcane bagasse, as a waste biomass energy precursor, can be further transformed into fuel alcohol by fermentation or gaseous fuel by gasification. In this work, subcritical water process was used as an environmentally friendly solvent for the hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse with the aim of producing reducing sugars using residue bagasse from a sugarcane biorefinery. Hydrolysis in subcritical water performance was studied under semi-continuous unit conditions in a 110 mL reactor. Hydrolysis was carried out using different sample loadings (3 and 5 g), flow-rates (9 and 12.5 mL min(-1)), temperatures (100, 150,200 and 250 degrees C) and pressures (5, 10, and 15 MPa). The highest reducing sugar yields were obtained at temperature above 200 degrees C, with the highest reducing sugar yield reaching 15.5%. Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the sugarcane bagasse undergoing hydrolysis. Diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy was used to characterize the residual solids, with results consistent with the removal of hemicellulose during hydrolysis. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.1086978Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)FAPESP [2011/19817-1

Characterization and analysis of specific energy consumption in the Brazilian agricultural sector

For emerging countries such as Brazil, improved performance in the agricultural sector can be achieved by studies on the factors that have affected the performance and on economic perspectives relative to their internal structure and its relation with the external market. The present work aims to contribute with sustained economic expansion by studying strategies for expanding the energy supply in agribusiness. The characterization of specific energy consumption and energy indicators was performed considering a process of natural evolution, using logistic curves that describe the growth or evolution process. The specific energy consumption in agricultural activities was determined from data on the consumption of energy by machinery and equipments used in agricultural activities, as well as by establishing specific consumption indicators (ratio of energy consumed per unit produced) for each stage of production and by end-use. Nine crops and three herds were evaluated. In conclusions, the technology levels reached by the Brazilian agricultural sector have reflected on increased productivity and competitiveness in the international market with improvement in machines and equipments efficiency and operational capacity. In sugarcane culture, for example, the productivity increased 10% from 2009 to 2015. It has also been noticed a trend to reduce the use of low-power tractors and to increase the use of medium- to high-power tractors, which has also favored the productivity increase. The incorporation of new technologies tends to be more intense in the crops and herds that have an already established market161176097609FAPESP – Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa Do Estado De São Paulo2011/19817-1; 2013/04304-

Applications of subcritical and supercritical water conditions for extraction, hydrolysis, gasification, and carbonization of biomass: a critical review

This review summarizes the recent essential aspects of subcritical and supercritical water technology applied tothe extraction, hydrolysis, carbonization, and gasification processes. These are clean and fast technologies which do not need pretreatment, require less reaction time, generate less corrosion and residues, do not usetoxic solvents, and reduce the synthesis of degradation byproducts. The equipment design, process parameters, and types of biomass used for subcritical and supercritical water process are presented. The benefits of catalysis to improve process efficiency are addressed. Bioactive compounds, reducing sugars, hydrogen, biodiesel, and hydrothermal char are the final products of subcritical and supercritical water processes. The present review also revisits advances of the research trends in the development of subcriticaland supercritical water process technologies