POSSIBILITIES FOR ENERGY USE OF AGRICULTURAL RESIDUE FROM COCOA PLANTATIONS

Abstract

The energetic use of agricultural residue may be an important alternative for the low-carbon economy. The cocoa crop generates a relevant amount of agricultural residue in the form of cocoa husk biomass. This study aims to identify the technological routes available for the energy use of agrarian residue from the cocoa plantation and to quantify the capacity to supply cocoa husk biomass from cocoa plantation as a usable residue for energy purposes. Previous studies indicate that cocoa husk biomass has relevant qualities for conversion into energy products by various technological routes, such as pyrolysis, anaerobic digestion, and fermentation. The capacity to supply cocoa husk biomass as a usable by-product for energy purposes was found to be significant. The methodology adopted was bibliographic research, obtaining direct and indirect data from official agencies, in addition to research in scientific literature, using the deductive method. The results identified the environmental and economic benefits of using cocoa husk biomass as an energy source, with options for the commercialization of energy, bio-oil, biogas, bioethanol, biochar, briquettes, or pellets. Additionally, there are the possibilities of serving as animal feed, production of organic fertilizers, biofertilizers, and substrate for producing enzymes.