POTENCIAL ENERGÉTICO DA EICHHORNIA CRASSIPES (AGUAPÉ) E DA PISTIA STRATIOTES (ALFACE D’ÁGUA)

Abstract

Must of the energy consumption in the world comes from non-renewable sources of energy, the main information occurs in nature in a longer time than their consumption and subject of depletion causing negative impacts in its use. Alternative sources are necessary. The use of biomass as fuel material, is widely used and appears as the main substitute for fossil fuels. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the energy potential of macrófitas Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) and Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce) existing in the region of Campos Gerais, Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brasil. Assessment took place gravimetric design,analysis growth, immediate analysis and determination of the calorific value. The macrophyte water hyacinth and water lettuce showed intermediate energy potential compared biomasses studied today. Immediate analysis did not show satisfactory values when compared to biomass already used. For higher calorific values the average and the productivity of the dry mass values were similar to biomasses already used. The water hyacinth showed characteristic values about water lettuce.