Sugarcane Bagasse: Applications for Energy Production and Ceramic Materials

The utilization of organic and agricultural residues for energy production is considered an important part in any strategy to achieve renewable energy goals and to reduce waste disposal and environmental pollution. Sugarcane Bagasse (SCB) refers to the fibrous matter that remains after crushing sugarcane for juice extraction. This residue can be used for either energy production or non-energy applications. For energy production, SCB can be burned as the raw product or in the form of briquettes. Currently, most SCB is burned in boilers to produce steam which is utilized in factories and to power turbines for the production of electricity (cogeneration). The combustion of SCB yields ashes (bottom and fly ashes) containing high amounts of organic matter (charcoal and SCB debris) and inorganic components (around 65% weight). In this work, we present an evaluation of the calorific value of SCB and the results of our research with SCB ashes for production of charcoal briquettes with the organic fraction and of bricks and glass ceramic material using the inorganic fraction.