Carya illinoinensis Husk Biomass Pellets as a Bioenergy Source in a Circular Economy Context

In Carya illinoinensis (Pecan) producing areas, large quantities of fruit shells of this natural species are generated, which are not used properly, the same ones that are generally incinerated or inconveniently disposed of. The research presented a proposal to make pellets with the biomass constituted by the shell of Carya illinoinensis as a bioenergy source and thus incorporate these residues into the production process in the context of a circular economy. In the investigation, 4 types of pellets with different granulometry of the shell were made, as a binder the same shell was used at a lower granulometry. Once the biomass was homogenized, it was made in a mold, obtaining pellets with a diameter of 15 mm and a length of 6 to 10 cm, using a pressure of one ton, then they were dried at 20°C for 15 days. The pellets were characterized obtaining 51.92% moisture percentage, 43.95% fixed carbon, 53.15% volatile material, 2.90% ash and calorific power of 9981.90 Kcal/kgr, to produce pellets with a granulometry of +0.30 mm. It is established in this way that the biomass of residues of Carya illinoinensis, it is feasible to be used as raw material to obtain bioenergy.