Physicochemical and Energetic Characterization of Carnauba-Babassu Biomass Blends for Sustainable Solid Biofuel Applications

This study evaluates the potential of tropical biomass blends derived from carnauba (Copernicia prunifera) and babassu (Attalea speciosa) as solid biofuels through physicochemical and energetic characterization. Four binary mixtures were produced and assessed in both raw and briquette forms to investigate the effects of densification on biofuel quality. Briquetting reduced moisture content and significantly increased apparent density and fixed carbon, leading to improved mechanical integrity. Higher Heating Values (HHV) ranged from 14.6 to 22.4 MJ kg.¹, while ash contents remained below 10 %, indicating favorable combustion characteristics. The briquettes exhibited high durability indices (>95 %), confirming low friability and suitability for handling and transport. FTIR analysis revealed the preservation of key lignocellulosic structures after processing. Overall, the results demonstrate that carnauba–babassu biomass blends exhibit enhanced energy performance and mechanical stability after densification, highlighting their potential as sustainable feedstocks for thermochemical conversion within circular bioeconomy strategies.