Energetic Potential of Coconut Shell (Cocos nucifera L.) for Use in the Charcoal Production by Pyrolysis

The lack of a correct destination for the disposal of green coconut residues and their potential as biomass stimulates their use for energy purposes. Therefore, the aim of this work was investigate the energetic potential of the green coconut shell (Cocos nucifera L.) to charcoal production by pyrolysis. In order to obtain charcoal, samples the green coconut shell was submitted to pyrolysis at different temperatures: 300 degrees C (CP300), 350 degrees C (CP350), 400 degrees C (CP400), 450 degrees C (CP450) and 500 degrees C (CP500). The green coconut shell and the produced charcoal were characterized by: proximate analysis, higher heating value (HHV) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). For the produced charcoal, their gravimetric and energy and fixed carbon yields were also determined. It was observed that with the increase of the pyrolysis temperature, there was a decrease in the volatile content (CP300 = 37.95% and CP500 = 14.94%), and consequently, increase in fixed carbon (CP300 = 56.42% and CP500 = 79.39%) and HHV (CP300 = 28.84 MJ / kg and CP500 = 29.59 MJ / kg). The increase in temperature also caused a decrease in the gravimetric yield (CP300 = 48.05% and CP500 = 33.29%) and energy yield (CP300 = 66.50% and CP500 = 52.76%) and an increase in thermal stability. It can be concluded that the charcoal of the green coconut shell is an alternative for the energy reutilization of this residue and also can be used as commercial charcoal.