Banca de DEFESA: VICTOR FERNANDES GARCIA

Uma banca de DEFESA de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : VICTOR FERNANDES GARCIA
DATE: 22/08/2025
TIME: 14:00
LOCAL: sala virtual
TITLE:

Design and Optimization of Methanol Production Pathways in Sugarcane Biorefineries: Process Integration, Seasonality, and Spatial Logistics

PAGES: 170
BIG AREA: Engenharias
AREA: Engenharia Mecânica
SUBÁREA: Engenharia Térmica
SPECIALTY: Aproveitamento da Energia
SUMMARY:

The main objective of this thesis was to identify and evaluate different strategies for integrating biomethanol production into sugarcane biorefineries, with a focus on joint optimization of technical, economic and environmental performance. To this end, a superstructure based on Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) was developed. The three chapters cover the development stages of the formulation, including aspects ranging from technological selection and energy integration to the effects of seasonality and territorial logistics. Bagasse gasification was the most consistent route throughout the chapters, increasing the plant's energy efficiency from 50.25% to 74.5% (Chap. 3), maintaining competitive performance even in the off-season (Chap. 4), and standing out for its viability in decentralized logistical contexts (Chap. 5). This route was able to produce up to 66.85 kg of biomethanol per ton of sugarcane and achieve a net energy production per hectare of 32.2 MJ/hectare, considering the total production of biofuels (Chap. 4). On the other hand, the conversion of CO₂ into methanol showed lower yields, up to 40.7 kg/t cane, negatively impacting the energy efficiency of the biorefinery, given the high consumption of electricity in the production of hydrogen. This route only became competitive in scenarios with robust carbon pricing policies or environmental incentives. The use of renewable hydrogen, such as from biomethane reforming or electrolysis, was essential to make this alternative environmentally viable, but significantly increased costs. Applying the formulation within the state of São Paulo, within the context evaluated, it was possible to estimate a production potential of 22.3 million tons of methanol, considering the biorefinery at its maximum environmental performance. With this, it can be concluded that: (i) gasification is the most robust alternative for expanding biofuel production efficiently; (ii) production through CO₂ conversion represents a strategic solution, but depends on environmental valuation to become economically viable; (iii) the adoption of policies such as carbon credits, CBIOs or pricing mechanisms is crucial to make the energy transition based on clean and sustainable routes viable.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - Interno ao Programa - 282.331.168-82 - ADRIANO VIANA ENSINAS - UFLA
Membro Titular - Examinador(a) Interno ao Programa - 1985515 - ANTONIO GARRIDO GALLEGO
Membro Titular - Examinador(a) Interno ao Programa - 1548098 - GILBERTO MARTINS
Membro Titular - Examinador(a) Externo à Instituição - EDGAR AMARAL SILVEIRA - UNB
Membro Titular - Examinador(a) Externo à Instituição - TÁSSIA LOPES JUNQUEIRA - CNPEM
Membro Suplente - Examinador(a) Externo à Instituição - MÁRCIO MONTAGNANA LEME - UFLA
Membro Suplente - Examinador(a) Externo à Instituição - DIMAS JOSE RUA OROZCO - UFLA