Análise das características fisico-quimicas das cinzas de Curauá (Ananas comosus var. erectifolius L. B. Smith) para a produção de biodiesel

Abstract

The use of natural resources has attracted increasing global interest. In this context, various renewable sources have been studied as alternatives to synthetic polymers or to improve the properties of existing materials. Among these sources, curauá fiber (Ananas comosus var. erectifolius L. B. Smith) stands out due to its high strength, low density, fineness, and high cellulose content. These features make it promising for the development of composites and nanocellulose. This study investigated the morphological, chemical, and structural properties of curauá fibers and ash using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The fibers exhibited typical lignocellulosic morphology, while the ash, obtained by pyrolysis, showed irregular particles and inorganic enrichment, with predominance of Ca, K, Si, Fe, S, and P. The results confirmed the presence of stable crystalline phases such as K₂SO₄, CaSO₄, and SiP₂O₇, highlighting curauá’s potential as biomass for technological applications in ceramics, mineral additives, and sustainable composites. Furthermore, the feasibility of using curauá ash as a catalyst for waste oil reuse in biodiesel production was demonstrated. These unprecedented findings indicate significant technological, economic, social, and environmental impacts, reinforcing the importance of bioeconomy in the Amazon region.