Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Exploring Açaí Seed (Euterpe oleracea) Pyrolysis Using Multi-component Kinetics and Thermodynamics Assessment Towards Its Bioenergy Potential

  • Published:
BioEnergy Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The novelty of this study is that it presents the first in-depth evaluation of the kinetic triplet and thermodynamic parameters from the pyrolysis of açaí seed (Euterpe oleracea), which is the main biowaste from the açaí fruit processing industry. First, the physicochemical characteristics of the açaí seed, i.e., the proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, energy content, bulk density, and bioenergy density, were determined. Thermogravimetric experiments were then conducted to evaluate the pyrolysis characteristics of the açaí seed, the kinetic triplet (Ea, A, and f(α)), and the thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔS, and ΔG). Three pseudo-components were distinguished from the açai seed pyrolysis profile using the asymmetric double sigmoidal (Asym2sig) function, which was described by the reaction model for the first order, third order, and eighth order, respectively. The Vyazovkin isoconversional method showed values of Ea ranging from 103 to 346 kJ mol−1 for açaí seed pyrolysis. The kinetic expression was applied to reconstruct the experimental data used (R2 > 0.9210) for the kinetic study and validated with a different experimental condition. The statistical test indicated no significant difference between experimental and calculated curves; therefore, the kinetic parameters are applicable to different thermal conditions. Physicochemical properties and thermodynamic parameters suggested that the açaí seed is a good candidate for bioenergy conversion through pyrolysis. Açaí seed is a promising feedstock for bioenergy production, as demonstrated by the kinetic and thermodynamic findings, and this information is important for advancing the design and scale-up of an açai seed pyrolysis process.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Pessôa TS, de Lima Ferreira LE, da Silva MP et al (2019) Açaí waste beneficing by gasification process and its employment in the treatment of synthetic and raw textile wastewater. J Clean Prod 240:118047. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118047

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. IBGE (2019) Production of vegetable extraction and silviculture - quantity produced and value of production in plant extraction, by type of extractive product (in Portuguese). In: SIDRA. https://sidra.ibge.gov.br/tabela/289. Accessed 12 Jan 2019

  3. de Sousa Ribeiro LA, Thim GP, Alvarez-Mendez MO, dos Reis Coutinho A, de Moraes NP, Rodrigues LA (2018) Preparation, characterization, and application of low-cost açaí seed-based activated carbon for phenol adsorption. Int J Environ Res 12:755–764. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-018-0128-5

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Itai Y, Santos R, Branquinho M, Malico I, Ghesti GF, Brasil AM (2014) Numerical and experimental assessment of a downdraft gasifier for electric power in Amazon using açaí seed (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) as a fuel. Renew Energy 66:662–669. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2014.01.007

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Teixeira MA, Escobar Palacio JC, Sotomonte CR, Silva Lora EE, Venturini OJ, Aßmann D (2013) Assaí - an energy view on an Amazon residue. Biomass Bioenergy 58:76–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2013.08.007

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. da Silva JCG, Alves JLF, Galdino WV d A et al (2018) Pyrolysis kinetic evaluation by single-step for waste wood from reforestation. Waste Manag 72:265–273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2017.11.034

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Tahir MH, Çakman G, Goldfarb JL, Topcu Y, Naqvi SR, Ceylan S (2019) Demonstrating the suitability of canola residue biomass to biofuel conversion via pyrolysis through reaction kinetics, thermodynamics and evolved gas analyses. Bioresour Technol 279:67–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2019.01.106

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Alves JLF, Da Silva JCG, Filho VF d S et al (2019) Bioenergy potential of red macroalgae Gelidium floridanum by pyrolysis: evaluation of kinetic triplet and thermodynamics parameters. Bioresour Technol 291:121892. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2019.121892

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Yao Z, Xiong J, Yu S et al (2020) Kinetic study on the slow pyrolysis of nonmetal fraction of waste printed circuit boards (NMF-WPCBs). Waste Manag Res. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X19896630

  10. Vyazovkin S, Burnham AK, Criado JM, Pérez-Maqueda LA, Popescu C, Sbirrazzuoli N (2011) ICTAC Kinetics Committee recommendations for performing kinetic computations on thermal analysis data. Thermochim Acta 520:1–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tca.2011.03.034

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Boubacar Laougé Z, Merdun H (2020) Pyrolysis and combustion kinetics of Sida cordifolia L. using thermogravimetric analysis. Bioresour Technol 299:122602. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2019.122602

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Lopez-Velazquez MA, Santes V, Balmaseda J, Torres-Garcia E (2013) Pyrolysis of orange waste: a thermo-kinetic study. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 99:170–177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2012.09.016

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. García-Garrido C, Pérez-Maqueda LA, Criado JM, Sánchez-Jiménez PE (2018) Combined kinetic analysis of multistep processes of thermal decomposition of polydimethylsiloxane silicone. Polymer (Guildf) 153:558–564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2018.08.045

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. da Silva JCG, de Albuquerque JG, Galdino WV d A et al (2020) Single-step and multi-step thermokinetic study – deconvolution method as a simple pathway for describe properly the biomass pyrolysis for energy conversion. Energy Convers Manag 209:112653. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2020.112653

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Alves JLF, Da Silva JCG, da Silva Filho VF et al (2019) Determination of the bioenergy potential of Brazilian pine-fruit shell via pyrolysis kinetics, thermodynamic study, and evolved gas analysis. BioEnergy Res 12:168–183. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-019-9964-1

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Sharma P, Pandey OP, Diwan PK (2019) Non-isothermal kinetics of pseudo-components of waste biomass. Fuel 253:1149–1161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2019.05.093

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Chen C, Miao W, Zhou C, Wu H (2017) Thermogravimetric pyrolysis kinetics of bamboo waste via asymmetric double sigmoidal (Asym2sig) function deconvolution. Bioresour Technol 225:48–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2016.11.013

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. CEN (2011) BS EN 14780:2011 - solid biofuels - sample preparation. British Standards Institution, London, pp 1–28

  19. ASTM (2016) D5373-08: standard test methods for instrumental determination of carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen in laboratory samples of coal and coke. In: Annual book of ASTM standards. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, p 1–4

  20. ASTM (2017) D4239-17: standard test method for sulfur in the analysis sample of coal and coke using high-temperature tube furnace combustion. In: Annual book of ASTM standards. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, p 1–7

  21. ASTM (2013) D5865-13: standard test method for gross calorific value of coal and coke. In: Annual book of ASTM standards. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, pp 1-19

  22. ASTM (2019) E873-82: standard test method for bulk density of densified particulate biomass fuels. In: Annual book of ASTM standards. West Conshohocken , pp 1–2

  23. TAPPI (2002) T 212 om-02: test methods for one percent sodium hydroxide solubility of wood and pulp. In: TAPPI Standards & Methods. Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, Atlanta, pp 1–4

  24. TAPPI (1999) T 203 cm-99: test methods for alpha-, beta- and gamma-cellulose in pulp. In: TAPPI Standards & Methods. Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, Atlanta, pp 1–5

  25. TAPPI (2002) T 222 om-02: test methods for acid-insoluble lignin in wood and pulp. In: TAPPI Standards & Methods. Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, Atlanta, pp 1–5

  26. ASTM (2017) E2550-17: standard test method for thermal stability by thermogravimetry. In: Annual book of ASTM standards. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, pp. 1–5

  27. Van de Velden M, Baeyens J, Boukis I (2008) Modeling CFB biomass pyrolysis reactors. Biomass Bioenergy 32:128–139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2007.08.001

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Vyazovkin S, Chrissafis K, Di Lorenzo ML et al (2014) ICTAC Kinetics Committee recommendations for collecting experimental thermal analysis data for kinetic computations. Thermochim Acta 590:1–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tca.2014.05.036

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Vyazovkin S, Dollimore D (1996) Linear and nonlinear procedures in isoconversional computations of the activation energy of nonisothermal reactions in solids. J Chem Inf Comput Sci 36:42–45. https://doi.org/10.1021/ci950062m

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Khawam A, Flanagan DR (2006) Solid-state kinetic models: basics and mathematical fundamentals. J Phys Chem B 110:17315–17328. https://doi.org/10.1021/jp062746a

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Montgomery DC, Runger GC (2018) Applied statistics and probability for engineers, 7th ed. Wiley

  32. Ding Y, Zhang Y, Zhang J, Zhou R, Ren Z, Guo H (2019) Kinetic parameters estimation of Pinus sylvestris pyrolysis by Kissinger-Kai method coupled with particle swarm optimization and global sensitivity analysis. Bioresour Technol 293:122079. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2019.122079

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Lilliefors HW (1969) On the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for the exponential distribution with mean unknown. J Am Stat Assoc 64:387–389. https://doi.org/10.1080/01621459.1969.10500983

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Yang YB, Ryu C, Khor A et al (2005) Effect of fuel properties on biomass combustion. Part II Modelling approach—identification of the controlling factors. Fuel 84:2116–2130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2005.04.023

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Kalkreuth W, Holz M, Kern M, Machado G, Mexias A, Silva MB, Willett J, Finkelman R, Burger H (2006) Petrology and chemistry of Permian coals from the Paraná Basin: 1. Santa Terezinha, Leão-Butiá and Candiota coalfields, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Int J Coal Geol 68:79–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2005.10.006

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Vassilev SV, Baxter D, Andersen LK, Vassileva CG (2010) An overview of the chemical composition of biomass. Fuel 89:913–933. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2009.10.022

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Alves J, da Trindade E, da Silva J et al (2020) Lignocellulosic residues from the Brazilian juice processing industry as novel sustainable sources for bioenergy production: preliminary assessment using physicochemical characteristics. J Braz Chem Soc. https://doi.org/10.21577/0103-5053.20200094

  38. Rambo MKD, Schmidt FL, Ferreira MMC (2015) Analysis of the lignocellulosic components of biomass residues for biorefinery opportunities. Talanta 144:696–703. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2015.06.045

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Monteiro AF, Miguez IS, Silva JPRB, Silva AS d (2019) High concentration and yield production of mannose from açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) seeds via mannanase-catalyzed hydrolysis. Sci Rep 9:10939. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-47401-3

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  40. Sunphorka S, Chalermsinsuwan B, Piumsomboon P (2017) Artificial neural network model for the prediction of kinetic parameters of biomass pyrolysis from its constituents. Fuel 193:142–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2016.12.046

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. García R, Pizarro C, Lavín AG, Bueno JL (2014) Spanish biofuels heating value estimation. Part II: Proximate analysis data. Fuel 117:1139–1147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2013.08.049

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Protásio TDP, Bufalino L, Tonoli GHD et al (2013) Brazilian lignocellulosic wastes for bioenergy production: characterization and comparison with fossil fuels. BioResources 8:1166–1185

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Filipe dos Santos Viana H, Martins Rodrigues A, Godina R et al (2018) Evaluation of the physical, chemical and thermal properties of Portuguese maritime pine biomass. Sustainability 10:2877. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10082877

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Collard F-X, Blin J (2014) A review on pyrolysis of biomass constituents: mechanisms and composition of the products obtained from the conversion of cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin. Renew Sust Energ Rev 38:594–608. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.06.013

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Dhyani V, Bhaskar T (2018) A comprehensive review on the pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass. Renew Energy 129:695–716. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2017.04.035

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Wang S, Lin H, Ru B, Dai G, Wang X, Xiao G, Luo Z (2016) Kinetic modeling of biomass components pyrolysis using a sequential and coupling method. Fuel 185:763–771. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2016.08.037

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Vyazovkin S (2015) Isoconversional kinetics of thermally stimulated processes, 1st edn. Springer International Publishing, Cham

    Google Scholar 

  48. Mehmood MA, Ahmad MS, Liu Q, Liu CG, Tahir MH, Aloqbi AA, Tarbiah NI, Alsufiani HM, Gull M (2019) Helianthus tuberosus as a promising feedstock for bioenergy and chemicals appraised through pyrolysis, kinetics, and TG-FTIR-MS based study. Energy Convers Manag 194:37–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2019.04.076

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Yao Z, Yu S, Su W, Wu W, Tang J, Qi W (2020) Kinetic studies on the pyrolysis of plastic waste using a combination of model-fitting and model-free methods. Waste Manag Res 38:77–85. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X19897814

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Yao Z, Yu S, Su W, Wu W, Tang J, Qi W (2020) Comparative study on the pyrolysis kinetics of polyurethane foam from waste refrigerators. Waste Manag Res 38:271–278. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X19877682

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Shahid A, Ishfaq M, Ahmad MS, Malik S, Farooq M, Hui Z, Batawi AH, Shafi ME, Aloqbi AA, Gull M, Mehmood MA (2019) Bioenergy potential of the residual microalgal biomass produced in city wastewater assessed through pyrolysis, kinetics and thermodynamics study to design algal biorefinery. Bioresour Technol 289:121701. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2019.121701

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Hu M, Wang X, Chen J, Yang P, Liu C, Xiao B, Guo D (2017) Kinetic study and syngas production from pyrolysis of forestry waste. Energy Convers Manag 135:453–462. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2016.12.086

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Chong CT, Mong GR, Ng JH, Chong WWF, Ani FN, Lam SS, Ong HC (2019) Pyrolysis characteristics and kinetic studies of horse manure using thermogravimetric analysis. Energy Convers Manag 180:1260–1267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2018.11.071

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Yeo JY, Chin BLF, Tan JK, Loh YS (2017) Comparative studies on the pyrolysis of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin based on combined kinetics. J Energy Inst 92:27–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joei.2017.12.003

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Kumar M, Mishra PK, Upadhyay SN (2020) Thermal degradation of rice husk: effect of pre-treatment on kinetic and thermodynamic parameters. Fuel 268:117164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2020.117164

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for the financial support given by the Brazilian Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq/Brazil Process 423869/2016-7) and Brazilian Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES/Brazil Finance Code 001). The authors would also like to acknowledge LCA/UFPB and LabMaq/UFPB for providing the infrastructure that was required to carry out this study.

Author information

Author notes

  1. José Luiz Francisco Alves and Jean Constantino Gomes Da Silva contributed equally to this work and share senior authorship.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, 88040-900, Brazil

    José Luiz Francisco Alves & Jean Constantino Gomes Da Silva

  2. Academic Department of Engineering, Federal University of Technology – Paraná, 85601-970, Francisco Beltrão, Paraná, Brazil

    Michele Di Domenico

  3. Laboratory of Activated Carbon, Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, 58033-455, Brazil

    Wendell Venicio De Araujo Galdino & Rennio Felix De Sena

  4. Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, Center of Alternative and Renewable Energy, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, 58051-970, Brazil

    Silvia Layara Floriani Andersen

  5. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Federal University of Campina Grande, Campina Grande, Paraíba, 58429-900, Brazil

    Ricardo Francisco Alves

Authors
  1. José Luiz Francisco Alves
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jean Constantino Gomes Da Silva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Michele Di Domenico
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Wendell Venicio De Araujo Galdino
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Silvia Layara Floriani Andersen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Ricardo Francisco Alves
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Rennio Felix De Sena
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jean Constantino Gomes Da Silva.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Highlights

• Açaí seed is an abundant (193 kt year−1) and underutilized residual biomass in Brazil.

• First detailed attempt to evaluate the açaí seed’s feasibility as feedstock for pyrolysis.

• Açaí seed has a remarkable bioenergy potential due to its physicochemical properties.

• Deconvolution was successfully applied for kinetic evaluation of açaí seed pyrolysis.

• The endothermic and favorable natures for bioenergy were observed by thermodynamic analysis.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Alves, J.L.F., Da Silva, J.C.G., Di Domenico, M. et al. Exploring Açaí Seed (Euterpe oleracea) Pyrolysis Using Multi-component Kinetics and Thermodynamics Assessment Towards Its Bioenergy Potential. Bioenerg. Res. 14, 209–225 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-020-10175-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-020-10175-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation