Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: SAMARA TEIXEIRA DA SILVA

Decarbonization and quality improvement in charcoal production from forest management plan residues in the Amazon.

Energy Efficiency; MRV Methodology; Forest Sustainability.

This study investigates the sustainable production of charcoal in the Amazon, utilizing woody residues from Sustainable Forest Management Plans (SFMP) and the furnace-kiln system, a technology designed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and enhance energy efficiency. The objective of this work is to comparatively analyze the influence of wood density on carbon balance, energy efficiency, and the quality of charcoal produced in furnace-kiln carbonization systems in the Amazon, using woody residues from Sustainable Forest Management Plans. Forest residues were collected and segregated by density (high and low) and subjected to the carbonization process in the furnace-kiln system. Charcoal quality was evaluated based on parameters such as gravimetric yield. Analyses of energy density, fixed carbon content, and GHG emissions, using the MRV (Measurement, Reporting, and Verification) methodology to quantify emissions, are yet to be conducted. Preliminary results indicate that high-density species, such as Dinizia excelsa Ducke. and Zollernia paraensis Huber., exhibit higher gravimetric yield, up to 33.19% on a dry basis, and superior charcoal quality, while low-density species, such as Cecropia angustifólia Trécul., show lower production but still satisfactory yield, up to 35.83% on a dry basis, when the carbonization process is well controlled. The segregation of residues by density proved effective in improving the uniformity and quality of charcoal, which is essential for industrial applications, such as in the steel industry. It is concluded that the furnace-kiln system, combined with density-based residue segregation, is a viable alternative for sustainable charcoal production in the Amazon, contributing to the decarbonization of the energy and industrial sectors. The research provides theoretical and practical insights for public policies and private initiatives, aligning socioeconomic development with environmental preservation.