Pirólise térmica e catalítica de biomassas oriundas do maracujá-amarelo (Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Deg).

Abstract

The growing demand for sustainable energy sources has driven studies on the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into biofuels. In this context, thermal and catalytic pyrolysis stands out as a viable alternative for the production of bio-oil. This study investigates the thermochemical conversion of the peel and seeds of the yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Deg), evaluating its energy potential and the influence of the sulfated zirconia catalyst on the yield and quality of the products obtained. The research includes the characterization of the biomasses regarding the lignocellulosic composition (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin contents), as well as immediate analyses of moisture, ash, volatile materials and fixed carbon. The catalyst was synthesized by the impregnation method and characterized by techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and surface area by the BET method. Pyrolysis was conducted at 600°C, and the composition of the products was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results indicate that thermal pyrolysis generates a bio-oil with a high content of oxygenated compounds, while catalytic pyrolysis improves the selectivity for hydrocarbons, reducing the acidity of the bio-oil. Thus, the conversion of passion fruit residues into bio-oil shows promise as a renewable alternative for diversifying the energy matrix.