Research Projects in progress at LEAE
Study of alternatives to reduce atmospheric pollution and greenhouse gas emissions: renewable energies in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul and Brazil
Coordinator: Prof. Willian Nadaleti
Fossil fuels generate several negative environmental impacts, from extraction to final consumption. Greenhouse gases are emitted – GHG such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and countless atmospheric pollutants such as Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), some of which have already originated in fuel plants. In addition, its end use in the urban vehicle fleet and in various industries enhances these atmospheric emissions with damage to fauna, flora and human health. Climate changes resulting from these anthropogenic emissions aroused the concern of several countries, which started to direct their energy policies in order to encourage or legislate in the direction of the use of renewable energies. In the case of electricity utilities, for example, there is even the possibility of public subsidies for the installation of renewable plants. In this sense, the proposed project aims to evaluate the sources available for the generation of renewable energy at local, regional and national levels, as well as analyzes and experiments in the laboratory for energy production and reduction of GHG and pollutant emissions. Finally, through mathematical modelling and energy planning tools, propose scenarios and evaluate the polluting potential of different energy sources, as well as their potential for reducing atmospheric emissions.
Bioenergy production using solid and liquid waste via anaerobic co-digestion
Coordinator: Prof. Willian Nadaleti
Most of the energy used on the planet comes from non-renewable sources and, in view of this, many kinds of research have been developed looking for new and alternative energy sources, aiming to reduce the environmental impacts caused by fossil fuels and providing greater energy security in the face of great variations in the oil price. Biofuel can be defined as any product useful for energy generation, obtained wholly or partially from biomass. Its industrialization process started in Europe in the 90s, becoming the main producer and consumer market of pure biofuel or in mixture with diesel oil. Other countries, such as the United States, Argentina, Australia, Canada, the Philippines, Japan, India, Malaysia, Taiwan, as well as Brazil, make significant efforts to develop their industries, stimulating the use and production of biofuels. In this sense, industrial and domestic waste can be used to generate biofuels, such as organic waste, industrial effluents, etc. Thus, Rio Grande do Sul, for example, is one of the largest world producers of rice. The parboiling of rice generates around 2 to 4 liters of effluent per kilo of processed rice, resulting in at least 504 billion liters per year. This effluent is mainly characterized by containing high loads of organic substances and nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. This effluent can be used in processes of digestion and anaerobic co-digestion with solid organic waste to generate biogas, which can be used as energy to produce electricity and heat. Thus, this project aims at the energy use of residues from the rice industries of the region as well as other industrial sectors and domestic organic waste for the production of bioenergy. The project will be developed in laboratory 201 of the engineering center in partnership with laboratory 102 and 200, with the participation of undergraduate and master students from UFPel. The gases generated in the digestion process will be used as energy for electricity or fuel, for example, in addition to the construction of energy scenarios.
Biogas Treatment: Removal of Siloxanes
Coordinator: Prof. Willian Nadaleti
Most of the techniques currently applied in upgrading biogas are essentially curative and aim to remove siloxanes and other contaminants already at the end of the line. The most commercially used method for removing siloxanes is the adsorption of these compounds by activated carbon. However, there are other methods under study and that can be used for the removal/neutralization of these compounds, which are described below: adsorption, absorption, chemical hydrolysis, condensation process using liquid nitrogen, biofiltration, peroxidation, and more recently, biological technologies. This project will employ innovative techniques for treating biogas, with an emphasis on siloxane removal.
Production of biofuels from by-products of the food industry: Biodiesel and Biomethane
Coordinator: Prof. Bruno Vieira Assistant Coordinator: Prof. Willian Nadaleti
The inevitable depletion of fossil fuels, the increase in the price of crude oil and the high emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants make the development of clean and renewable energies an emergency. Currently, the production of renewable energy in Brazil takes place mainly through hydroelectric plants. The sector serves 70% of the country’s total production. However, the construction and operation of this type of plant cause several negative environmental impacts, such as emissions of greenhouse gases, such as methane, and destruction of habitats. In this context, biofuels appear capable of generating bioenergy, which is characterized as energy derived from biomass and allows the reduction of greenhouse gases when replacing fossil and water energies. Its sources are in the form of crop biomass and agricultural waste, solid urban waste and effluents. Its conversion into biofuel occurs, for example, in the anaerobic biodigestion of these compounds for the generation of biogas, or by the transesterification of lipids for the production of biodiesel. In view of the high potential for energy production from effluents and other waste from rice industries in Brazil, it is essential to study and develop biofuels from these by-products. Thus, the objective of this project will be the production of biofuels, biodiesel and biomethane, using as raw material the residues and effluents generated in rice processing processes, determining: 1) the best conditions for basic methyl transesterification of bran vegetable oil rice for biodiesel production; 2) the potential for inhibition and enhancement of biodiesel glycerol to the Specific Methanogenic Activity (AME) of the sludge from rice parboiling, and in what proportions such effects are present; 3) the potential for biodiesel and biomethane production in the rice industries of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, as well as the potential for generating thermal and electrical energy from such biofuels. The project is therefore complemented on three fronts: experimental, energy planning and application of the generated energy.
