Banca de DEFESA: LETÍCIA RAFAELLE ARAÚJO SABINO

Uma banca de DEFESA de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : LETÍCIA RAFAELLE ARAÚJO SABINO
DATE: 12/01/2026
TIME: 15:00
LOCAL: Auditório do NUPPRAR
TITLE:

Thermochemical valorization of urban waste: a study on the co-pyrolysis of tree-pruning residues with polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

KEY WORDS:

energy transition; waste; tree pruning; polyethylene terephthalate (PET); co-pyrolysis

PAGES: 100
BIG AREA: Ciências Exatas e da Terra
AREA: Química
SUBÁREA: Físico-Química
SPECIALTY: Cinética Química e Catálise
SUMMARY:

The accelerated increase in global energy demand, driven by population growth, highlights the necessity for alternative and sustainable energy sources. Biofuels produced from renewable biomass have emerged as a viable alternative to fossil fuels, particularly lignocellulosic residues due to their abundance and low cost. Co-pyrolysis with polymeric wastes, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), stands out as a promising strategy to improve the quality of pyrolysis bio-oil by promoting synergistic reactions that enhance deoxygenation and product stability, in addition to generating biochar with broad application potential. This study assessed the energy potential of urban residues from UFRN, such as tree-pruning waste blended with PET, in different Tree pruning:PET proportions (25%, 50%, and 75% w/w). Kinetic and thermodynamic behavior was investigated using the isoconversional Ozawa–Flynn–Wall (OFW) and Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) methods, followed by pyrolysis under varying temperature (450 and 500 °C), heating rate (25 and 50 °C/min), and residence time (5 and 6 min) to determine the optimal condition used for the co-pyrolysis reactions. Based on material characterization and kinetic analysis, the addition of PET reduced the apparent activation energy and improved thermal stability, with the mixture containing 50% PET showing the most significant effect—reducing the apparent activation energy by approximately 33%. The reaction was found to be endothermic, irreversible, and non-spontaneous, and the thermodynamic study indicated lower enthalpy variation compared to pure biomass. The presence of PET promoted cracking of the carbon chains in the bio-oil, resulting in a lighter product, and significantly increased the porosity of the biochar. Thus, co-pyrolysis of tree-pruning residues with PET is a promising approach for obtaining higher-value products.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 2140818 - AMANDA DUARTE GONDIM
Externa à Instituição - EDJANE FABIULA BURITI DA SILVA - UFRN
Externa à Instituição - EMILY CINTIA TOSSI DE ARAÚJO COSTA - UFMA
Interna - 2140775 - LIVIA NUNES CAVALCANTI