Assessment of wood residue blends from the amazon region for decentralized energy recovery and decarbonization: Combustion kinetics, thermodynamics and potential emissions

Abstract

Decentralized energy systems in the Amazon face challenges such as diesel dependence, high transport costs, and limited sustainability. Woody residues from sustainable forest management offer a viable bioenergy alternative, yet combustion kinetics, thermodynamics, and emissions data remain scarce. This study provides a comprehensive thermokinetic assessment of four blends comprising six Amazonian wood residues (Peltogyne lecointei, Erisma uncinatum, Martiodendron elatum, Handroanthus incanus, Dipteryx odorata, and Allantoma decandra) for decentralized energy solutions. Combustion kinetics were assessed through thermogravimetric analysis, isoconversional methods (Friedman, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa, Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose, and Starink), and DAEM approaches (Miura-Maki, Scott, and Three-Parallel). Additionally, combustion indexes, thermodynamic parameters, emissions, and carbon uptake were analyzed. Results highlighted differences in ignition and burnout performance, with some blends proving more efficient for energy recovery, while others exhibited prolonged combustion, affecting char formation and thermal stability. Experimental and predicted mass loss profiles strongly agreed (MAPE<6 %), confirming the kinetic approach's reliability. Enthalpy changes ranged from 112.89 to 441.90 kJ mol⁻¹, while Gibbs free energy values of 163.25–248.55 kJ mol⁻¹ confirmed a non-spontaneous process. Entropy variations from −116.31–431.54 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ indicated molecular disorder and energy efficiency during biomass decomposition. Emission factors for CO₂ (67.109–69.773 tons MJ⁻¹), SO₂ (0.043–0.056 tons MJ⁻¹), and NOx (0.008–0.011 tons MJ⁻¹) were lower than fossil fuels. CO₂ uptake (1.677–1.776 tons per ton of biomass) further supports carbon mitigation. Findings align with SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG13 (Climate Action), promoting bioenergy integration into diesel-dependent systems in remote regions.