Abstract
The search for alternative energy sources to diversify and expand the renewable energy matrix has intensified in recent years, both in Brazil and worldwide. Consequently, the interest in biomass as an energy source has grown significantly. Various biomass conversion methods can be applied, including biochemical routes such as anaerobic digestion and alcohol fermentation, and thermochemical routes such as combustion, pyrolysis, and gasification. In the state of Maranhão, Brazil, agricultural residues are abundant, particularly babassu coconut shells and açaí seeds. These residues are traditionally used for babassu nut oil extraction and açaí pulp production. Within this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the products generated from biomass gasification using babassu coconut shells and açaí seeds as feedstocks, to produce energy and high-value-added by-products. The study was conducted through computer simulations using Aspen Plus software (version 8.8). The chemical compositions of each biomass were adapted and implemented in the simulator’s standard model. The gasification process was simulated, yielding 78.52% gas, 15.34% liquid, and 6.14% solid for babassu coconut shells. For açaí seeds, the yields were 79.04% gas, 15% liquid, and 5.95% solid. In the gas phase, syngas concentrations reached 64.23% for babassu shells and 60.81% for açaí seeds. The results demonstrate that both biomasses, when applied to the gasifier model, can accurately predict the final composition of the product gas, confirming their substantial energy potential.
