One of the main purposes of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 30), to be held in November in Belém, is to discuss the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and thus curb global warming. More than 80% of these emissions come from the burning of fossil fuels, especially oil. This is why, the entire world is investing in energy transition initiatives, replacing fossil sources with renewable and clean ones.
In the Amazon, such an important region for combating climate change, researchers are dedicated to studying the production of biofuels, one type of clean energy source, by experimenting with various regional raw materials, such as açaí.
This is the case of the Sustenbio Energy project, developed at the Laboratório de Transformação e Valorização de Resíduos Agroindustriais [Laboratory of Transformation and Valorization of Agroindustrial Residues] at the Federal University of Pará (UFPA), coordinated by Professor Nélio Machado. The initiative aims to transform açaí and tucumã seeds into green gasoline, kerosene, and diesel, biogas, bio-oil with pharmacological properties, and bioasphalt, made from the residue of transforming the fruits stones into oil process.
"We develop processes, products, and technologies to transform and value agroindustrial residues. The disposal of solid waste is a global environmental problem. During the açaí harvest, within the Greater Belém alone, about 400 tons of waste are produced per day, most of it improperly discarded on the streets, generating problems such as the proliferation of disease vectors. During the açaí production, 85% of the material is seed, so we complete this process by utilizing everything. This values the residue and the açaí chain, promoting the circular economy," highlights the researcher.
TECHNOLOGY
To produce biofuels and bioasphalt, researchers collect the fruit stones from areas surrounding the UFPA campus. They are dried, crushed, chemically activated, and placed in a reactor, with temperatures ranging between 350º and 450º Celsius. The result is condensed and then distilled, yielding açaí bio-oil.
"The chemical reaction separates the compound according to its ease of vaporization. The lightest, most volatile fraction is biogasoline; the medium one we call biokerosene; while the heavier ones consist the biodiesel. And the heaviest of all, which remains in the equipment, is bioasphalt, or bio-binder for asphalt, a block used to make asphalt cement," explains Lucas Bernar, one of the researchers.
Nélio Machado points out that the produced bio-oil has a high calorific value and can be used in energy production in turbines, for example. "These are diverse products with high added value, including biofuels, biogas, asphalt bio-binder, activated carbon that can be used in the production of biofilters for isolated communities. We also want these biofuels to be used in these communities, whether in boats and riverboats or in generators," the coordinator notes.
"Furthermore, bio-oil has antioxidant and pharmacological properties against infectious agents. So, in another branch, in the health sphere, in partnership with Professor Marta Monteiro from the Faculty of Pharmacy, we are working on the production of nanoemulsions, which would be used, for example, for skin applications," Machado adds.
For the coordinator, the use of açaí residues and the production of biofuels work towards the combat of several environmental problems, from properly disposing the production waste to generating alternatives to petroleum products. "We also end up strengthening the bioeconomy," he emphasizes.
Tucumã is hope for energetic future
The Sustenbio Energy project is based at UFPA but works in partnership with several other research institutions: Federal Rural University of the Amazon (Ufra) and Federal University of Southern and Southeastern Pará (Unifesspa), both in Pará; Federal University of Amazonas (Ufam) and State University of Amazonas (UEA); Federal University of Pernambuco; and Military Engineering Institute (IME), in Rio de Janeiro.
At Ufam, under the coordination of chemical engineer Douglas Castro, the main focus is on the residues from tucumã stones, a widely consumed fruit in the state. "Tucumã is part of the cultural and food identity of Amazonians, just like açaí in Pará. Annual production in Amazonas is around 2,500 tons, of which 70% are processing residues, such as seeds (stones), husks, and bunches. About 92% of these residues are improperly discarded into streets, rivers, and streams, generating environmental liabilities. We consider this a waste of energy potential. What was once discarded can become a real opportunity for the bioeconomy and for a more sustainable energy future in the Amazon," Castro emphasizes.
VALORIZATION
Researches involving the production of biofuels and bioasphalt from tucumã are carried out by the Research Group Tecnologias Biossustentáveis da Amazônia Aplicados à Descarbonização [Biosustainable Technologies of the Amazon Applied to Decarbonization], GP TecbioAM. "We seek innovative and sustainable solutions for the valorization of Amazonian residues. Our focus is to transform agroindustrial by-products from the tucumã production chain into renewable energy sources and high-value-added inputs of industrial interest. Thus, we promote the local economy, with social and environmental impact", states the Ufam researcher.
"We are building a future where Brazil's fuel can come from Amazonian biomass in a clean, renewable, sustainable way, and, of course, aligned with global climate goals," he emphasizes.
To date, researchers have successfully developed bio-oil, biogasoline, biokerosene, and green diesel from tucumã, similar to petroleum-derived fuels, as well as biogas, biochar, and bio-binders for application in sustainable asphalt. All these materials are tested in partner laboratories, in engines, turbines, and equipment that evaluate the mechanical paving properties.
LOA
The Laboratório de Óleos da Amazônia (LOA) [Amazon Oils Laboratory], linked to UFPA and located at the Guamá Science and Technology Park (PCT Guamá), also uses residues to produce biofuels. According to the laboratory's vice-coordinator, Luís Adriano Nascimento, residues from oil chains produced in the Amazon are used, especially palm oil.
"In Pará, tons and tons of palm oil are refined, as it is the largest producer in Brazil. The deodorization residues, which remove the unpleasant smell from the product, are pure fat and represent discard issue, but they can generate biodiesel. We also use fat extracted from bacuri seeds, cupuaçu seed butter, andiroba oil, buriti oil. In the refining of any type of oil, this sludge is generated, which can become biofuel," says the researcher.
The chemist states that these residues can be an alternative for small-scale energy generation for isolated communities that do not have access to electricity. "They can process the oil extraction right there, and with that oil, or its residue, they can produce the biodiesel that will supply the generator," he suggests.
LOA's newest line of work is the production of sustainable fuel for aviation. "This is a global trend, in the search for alternatives to petroleum-derived kerosene to fuel airplanes. So, we are also in this search, using Amazonian residues," Luís points out.
Bacteria and algae are promising options
Another line of research developed at LOA is the production of biofuels from Amazonian algae and cyanobacteria. According to the coordinator, the technology is promising. "We have had excellent results at the laboratory scale for biodiesel production. These microorganisms are capable of producing oils and fats, from which we can generate biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuel," he anticipates.
The cyanobacteria and microalgae used in the laboratory were collected from the Tucuruí Hydroelectric Plant reservoir and Lake Bolonha, located in the Utinga State Park, in Belém. "These microorganisms exist everywhere there is standing water. They are easily adaptable and cultivable. We add nutrients, and they grow very quickly. While a species like palm takes four to five years to grow, microorganisms take days to develop and produce oil. So, there's this advantage," the researcher comments.
PARTNERSHIPS
According to the LOA's vice-coordinator, the research shows the scientific path towards the final product, but only through partnerships with companies can biofuels be produced on a commercial scale. He states that there is already a forecast for signing contracts with interested companies, especially for the production of aviation fuel. "The company will invest the financial capital, and the researchers will invest the intellectual capital, in addition to all the structure that UFPA and the Science and Technology Park offers. When the product is commercialized, the return will benefit everyone, in the division of royalties and patents," he informs.
Professor Nélio Machado anticipates that the Sustenbio Energy project is seeking partnerships with the public sector to obtain funding for the construction of an açaí biofuel processing unit, preferably close to the municipalities that are the largest state producers, such as Igarapé-Miri. "This plant would have a production capacity of 500 kilograms per hour. It would serve as a portfolio to show that we have the technical-scientific qualification to transform these seeds into high-value-added products. We are no longer in the research phase, but rather in the scaling up for production," he emphasizes.
In Amazonas, Douglas Castro reports that researchers are also negotiating with companies, seeking funding for pilot projects. "We are located in the Manaus Free Trade Zone, with an industrial hub highly interested in projects aimed at sustainability. So, our focus now is to mature these solutions so that they can soon enter the market, with the strength that the Amazon deserves," he concludes.
INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERSHIP
The production of Liberal Amazon is one of the initiatives of the Technical Cooperation Agreement between the Liberal Group and the Federal University of Pará. The articles involving research from UFPA are revised by professionals from the academy. The translation of the content is also provided by the agreement, through the research project ET-Multi: Translation Studies: multifaces and multisemiotics.
