Estimación del poder calorífico superior de una mezcla de aserrín y cascarilla de café

Abstract

The feasibility study of a fuel considers thermochemical characterization, which encompasses chemical composition, moisture content, density, ash content, and calorific value. The latter determines the amount of heat energy released during combustion. The calorific value can be accurately determined using sophisticated equipment or approximated using experimental correlations from scientific literature based on proximate or ultimate analysis. This study prepared a sample of 65.3% pine sawdust and 34.7% coffee husk. The objective was to estimate its calorific value through ash analysis and using four mathematical correlations based on proximate analysis. The sample's estimated average value of the higher heating value (HHV) was 19.28 MJ/kg. These results support the viability of the analyzed fuel, emphasizing the importance of thermochemical characterization in evaluating the quality and efficiency of fuels.