Latin American Journal of Energy Research
A Lajer - Latin American Journal of Energy Research é uma revista científica de acesso aberto, completamente gratuita em todas suas etapas, com periodicidade quadrimestral (janeiro-abril, maio-agosto e setembro-dezembro), e-ISSN 2358-2286 e DOI 10.21712. A Lajer tem classificação B2 nas áreas: Interdisciplinar, Engenharias I, Engenharias IV, Arquitetura, Urbanismo e Design e Ciências Agrárias I, <span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: 'Noto Sans', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">quadriênio 2017-2020, <a style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: #ffffff; color: #006798; font-family: 'Noto Sans', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" href="https://sucupira.capes.gov.br/sucupira/public/consultas/coleta/veiculoPublicacaoQualis/listaConsultaGeralPeriodicos.jsf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Qualis Periódicos da Capes<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: 'Noto Sans', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">. São publicados artigos científicos originais correlatos com o tema de energia abordando as temáticas: a) Petróleo e Gás Natural, b) Geologia e Geofísica, c) Engenharias, d) Eficiência Energética, e) Energias de Baixo Carbono (renováveis), e f) Transição Energética. A submissão, e todas as etapas, é online e realizado via a plataforma OJS/PKP. Em no máximo 15 dias os autores são informados sobre o status da submissão efetuada. Após a avaliação, os artigos aceitos são enquadrados no formato Lajer com atribuição do DOI. A revista está cadastrada no Portal de Periódicos Capes e em diversas bases indexadoras. A escrita abreviada é "Lat. Am. J. Energy Res." (Fonte: Paperpile).
O autor, no ato da submissão do artigo, transfere o direito autoral ao periódico.
Green Property Tax as an Instrument to Promote Energy Efficiency in Urban Buildings
Brazil’s rapid urbanization, with 87% of its population living in cities, intensifies the demand for public policies aimed at energy efficiency in buildings, a sector responsible for nearly half of national electricity consumption. Within this framework, the Green Property Tax (IPTU Verde) emerges as an extrafiscal mechanism to stimulate sustainable practices; however, its implementation lacks technical standardization and alignment with broader sectoral policies. This qualitative and exploratory study draws on bibliographic review and documentary analysis of municipal regulations (Salvador, Palmas, and Curitiba), focusing on verification criteria, scope of fiscal benefits, and potential impacts. Results reveal heterogeneous approaches: Salvador applies a point-based certification system, Palmas emphasizes solar generation, while Curitiba prioritizes environmental conservation. Identified limitations include verification costs, restricted social reach, and weak monitoring. The study concludes that IPTU Verde holds transformative potential if linked to national technical standards, credit and retrofit programs, and continuous performance assessment mechanisms.
Copyright (c) 2025 Latin American Journal of Energy Research https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Digestão anaeróbica em dois estágios de resíduos de café com glicerol residual para produção de hidrogênio e metano: análise bibliométrica e inovação
A digestão anaeróbica em dois estágios tem se destacado como uma alternativa inovadora para a valorização de resíduos agroindustriais, especialmente os provenientes da cadeia do café, como casca e borra, quando associados ao glicerol residual. Essa configuração, que separa as fases acidogênica e metanogênica, proporciona maior estabilidade operacional, controle de parâmetros críticos e incremento no rendimento energético, com produção simultânea de hidrogênio e metano. O presente estudo teve como objetivo realizar uma análise bibliométrica sobre a aplicação da digestão em dois estágios a resíduos de café em co-digestão com glicerol residual, bem como mapear registros tecnológicos relacionados em bases de patentes, a fim de identificar tendências e lacunas de pesquisa. A metodologia consistiu em buscas sistemáticas nas bases Scopus e Web of Science, além das plataformas Espacenet, Google Patents, USPTO, INPI e Patentscope, utilizando descritores como “anaerobic digestion”, “coffee”, “glycerol”, “biogas” e “hydrogen”. Os resultados indicaram crescimento contínuo nas publicações entre 2020 e 2025, com predomínio de estudos europeus, enquanto o Brasil, maior produtor mundial de café, ainda apresenta participação limitada. Identificou-se que o periódico Bioresource Technology concentra a maioria dos trabalhos de relevância. A busca em bases de patentes não revelou registros que combinem explicitamente resíduos de café e glicerol em digestão em dois estágios para coprodução de H₂ e CH₄, demonstrando originalidade da temática e potencial de inovação. Conclui-se que a tecnologia investigada contribui para a economia circular, a redução de impactos ambientais e a diversificação da matriz energética, configurando uma oportunidade estratégica para o Brasil no contexto da transição energética global.
Cogeneration and Bioelectricity Production in the Sugarcane Energy Sector
Biomass from sugarcane plays an important role in the Brazilian energy matrix, offering both scale and energy flexibility. In this context, the aim of the present study is to analyze the Brazilian sugar-energy sector, with emphasis on cogeneration and the production of bioelectricity from sugarcane. The methodology included gathering information from government agencies and sector associations, as well as related studies on the topic. The results show that the Brazilian sugar-energy sector has significant potential for bioelectricity generation, driven by several factors. Despite this, it faces challenges that require public policies, intersectoral cooperation and investments. In 2023, 20.97 TWh were exported to the National Interconnected System, a volume sufficient to supply approximately 4% of the country’s electricity consumption, in addition to avoiding the emission of about 4.3 million tons of CO₂. Bioelectricity generation for the grid was concentrated during the dry season, strengthening energy security and reducing dependence on hydropower
Comparative evaluation of the Peng-Robinson equation and its variants Mathias-Copeman and Stryjek-Vera, for pure methane in subcritical regime.
In the present study, the Peng-Robinson equation of state and its variations with the Mathias-Copeman and Stryjek-Vera correction functions are evaluated for pure methane, using the Setzmann-Wagner auxiliary equations as reference. The equations of state were implemented in Python to compute the saturation pressure as a function of temperature, the saturated liquid density and the saturated vapor density. The results show, based on a visual analysis, that the saturation pressure curves match the reference well, and the differences appear in the computed errors, where the Mathias-Copeman variant shows the best agreement, the standard Peng-Robinson model maintains a low and stable deviation, and the Stryjek-Vera model presents the largest discrepancies. For the saturated liquid density, an overestimation is observed at lower temperatures, which decreases as temperature increases; at the upper end of the range, Peng-Robinson and Mathias-Copeman tend to a slight underestimation, while Stryjek-Vera shows a more pronounced underestimation. For the saturated vapor density, the Peng-Robinson and Mathias-Copeman models remain close to the reference throughout most of the interval, while Stryjek-Vera transitions from strong underestimation at the beginning to overestimation at higher temperatures. It is concluded that, in the subcritical regime analyzed, the Mathias-Copeman variant demonstrates the best accuracy for saturation pressure and densities, the standard Peng-Robinson model exhibits similar performance and the Stryjek-Vera model tends to present larger deviations.
Numerical modeling of electric vehicles (BEVs) and fuel cell hybrid vehicles (FCHEVs) in ADVISOR: a brief literature review
A literature review is presented on hydrogen fuel cell hybrid vehicles (FCHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs), based on numerical simulations carried out using the ADVISOR software. The investigation was conducted by selecting five articles, defined through bibliometric criteria following the Science Mapping methodology and the Web of Science and Scopus databases. The goal was to compare fuel consumption, performance, and greenhouse gas emissions of these two types of vehicles. ADVISOR, developed as a tool for simulating and analyzing the dynamic behavior of vehicles, makes it possible to evaluate different propulsion configurations, including electric vehicles, fuel cell hybrid vehicles, and models equipped with internal combustion engines (ICEVs). In this way, it serves as a comprehensive platform for comparative studies between electric and conventional mobility alternatives
CFD Simulation of Gas–Solid Mixing in a Spouted Bed Applied to the Conversion of Polyolefin Waste
Pyrolysis in spouted bed reactors can recover aluminum and produce waste-derived fuel from carton packages. However, reactors with polyethylene/aluminum composite (LDPE/Al) and sand mixing (of different sizes and specific densities) can lead to unstable spouting regimes. Therefore, this research aims to simulate the gas-solid flow in beds with mixtures of sand and LDPE/Al using a 2D Euler-Euler Granular model. This allows for the identification of stable operational conditions with low particle segregation. Results show that the mixing index predictions agree with experimental data. Predicting the effect of operating conditions and mixture properties on the degree of bed mixing aids in the start-up of pyrolysis reactors for producing waste-derived fuels and aluminum recovery.
Biocomposites and natural fibers for oil-water separation: a review on materials, modifications, and performance
The continuous expansion of industrialization, energy demand, and economic development has been directly correlated with the increasing incidence of oil spills and the discharge of oily effluents, posing an environmental and ecological risk of global magnitude that threatens human health and the sustainability of aquatic ecosystems. The development of sustainable sorbent materials for the treatment of oily effluents is primarily based on the valorization of agricultural biomass residues, whose structure is mainly composed of natural fibers such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. This study conducts a systematic review of the recent literature on natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites applied to the treatment of oily effluents. The analysis focuses on modification strategies and evaluates the materials' performance in terms of sorption capacity, selectivity, reusability, and stability.
Influência do Sulfato de Bário na Reologia de Emulsões de Petróleo
As emulsões de petróleo, comumente formadas durante o processo de produção, representam um desafio significativo para a indústria de óleo e gás, devido à sua influência no escoamento e na separação das fases. Este trabalho teve como objetivo investigar experimentalmente o comportamento reológico de emulsões de petróleo do tipo água em óleo (A/O), preparadas com água destilada e solução contendo sulfato de bário (BaSO₄). As amostras foram analisadas em temperaturas de 15 °C e 30 °C utilizando o modelo de Herschel–Bulkley, visando compreender a influência dos sólidos e íons presentes sobre a viscosidade e a estabilidade das emulsões. Os resultados indicaram que, na presença de sulfato de bário, houve aumento da tensão de escoamento e do índice de consistência, especialmente a 15 °C, sugerindo maior interação interfacial e formação de redes estruturadas. A elevação da temperatura reduziu esses efeitos, aproximando o comportamento do fluido ao regime Newtoniano. O teste de gota confirmou a predominância de emulsões A/O, evidenciando que o sulfato pode alterar a membrana interfacial, reforçando a estabilidade do sistema. Esses achados contribuem para o entendimento do impacto dos íons e sólidos suspensos no comportamento reológico de emulsões de petróleo, auxiliando no desenvolvimento de estratégias de mitigação e separação mais eficientes.
Avaliação de alternativas para a eficientização do aproveitamento de gases siderúrgicos visando repotenciação do sistema de cogeração das utilidades
No Espírito Santo, a indústria siderúrgica é responsável por mais de 60% das emissões do setor de indústria e energia, quase 35% das emissões totais, cenário para aplicação da eficiência energética como estratégias de descarbonização. Este estudo analisa a rota de ciclos combinados para repotenciação, com consequente aumento da eficiência no aproveitamento dos gases siderúrgicos em uma siderúrgica do estado, com foco na redução das emissões específicas. A indústria estudada aproveita a energia térmica e química dos gases siderúrgicos para gerar cerca de 500 MW, potência essa que é quase toda gerada em seis unidades de cogeração com turbinas vapor. A avaliação focou na Unidade Termelétrica 1 (UTE-1), com a proposta do acoplamento de uma turbina a gás ao sistema de cogeração a vapor, configurando um ciclo combinado, mantendo os mesmos parâmetros do ciclo a vapor. A modelagem da planta foi feita no software IPSEpro, para o cálculo das potências, disponibilidade energética dos gases e eficiências. Três cenários foram definidos, sendo que o primeiro (caso 0) é correspondente ao atual, o segundo (caso 1) um ciclo combinado que usa um compressor para pressurizar os gases siderúrgicos e o terceiro (caso 2) avalia o impacto da ausência do compressor de gases siderúrgicos. Os resultados mostram que, do caso 0 para o caso 1, a eficiência elétrica líquida muda de 29,23 a 45,40%, enquanto a eficiência líquida da cogeração varia de 33,88 a 51,50%. Já o caso 2, que não usa o compressor de gases siderúrgicos, alcança 48,00% de eficiência elétrica líquida e 53,76% de eficiência líquida da cogeração. As eficiências do caso 1, sugerem futuros estudos de um ciclo a vapor com caldeira supercrítica, que pode superar este ciclo combinado.
Transportation of hydrogen and natural gas mixtures in pipelines: review of recent literature
This study presents a bibliometric review on the transport of hydrogen–natural gas mixtures through pipelines. The objective is to identify research trends, main contributors, and scientific gaps related to hydrogen blending as a strategy to support the energy transition. The analysis used a quantitative approach based on bibliometrics, employing the Bibliometrix package in R Studio to process data extracted from Scopus and Web of Science databases between 2020 and 2025. The Methodi Ordinatio equation was applied to rank the most relevant publications. Results show a significant growth in research on hydrogen transport through existing gas infrastructure, with China leading global scientific production. The International Journal of Hydrogen Energy stands out as the main publication source. Challenges such as hydrogen embrittlement, material compatibility, and transport costs remain barriers to large-scale implementation. This review contributes by mapping key actors, regions, and knowledge gaps, highlighting the need for future research integrating life-cycle analysis and material integrity studies to ensure safe and cost-effective hydrogen blending in pipeline networks.
Estudo da dinâmica de colisão de gotas: abordagem de simulação numérica direta
O fenômeno de colisão entre gotas é encontrado tanto no ambiente natural quanto na produção industrial. Na área da energia, é possível citar a presença deste fenômeno em processos de separação óleo-água, injeção de combustíveis e sistemas de pós-tratamento de gases oriundos da combustão. A colisão tem sido estudada extensivamente ao longo de várias décadas, mas grande parte da dinâmica de colisão entre gotas ainda precisa ser explorada. Questões como o impacto do tempo de drenagem do filme nas simulações e a validação por meio de dados experimentais, após análise adimensional, podem contribuir para os estudos ocupando um espaço até então pouco explorado. Nesse sentido, o objetivo desse trabalho foi investigar, por meio de simulações numéricas diretas, a dinâmica de colisão frontal entre gotas utilizando o parâmetro tempo de drenagem do filme e grupos adimensionais como o número de Weber, número de Reynolds, razão de massa específica e razão de viscosidade sobre os tempos de colisão e de recuperação. Para isso, foram adimensionalizadas as equações de conservação da massa e de quantidade de movimento; definidos um domínio bidimensional e uma malha adaptativa em função do diâmetro inicial da gota; desenvolvido o código para o solver de código aberto Basilisk® que foi a plataforma de solução numérica das equações de conservação. Os resultados evidenciaram que o tempo de colisão é impactado diretamente pelo tempo de drenagem do filme, diferentemente do tempo de recuperação que não apresentou alterações mesmo para tempos de drenagem diferentes. Os valores para o tempo de drenagem adimensional iguais a 0,35, para a condição de coalescência, e 0,60 para a condição de rebote permitiram similaridade com dados experimentais atestando a validade do modelo. Palavras-chave: colisão binária, gotas, parâmetros adimensionais, simulação numérica direta, tempo de drenagem do filme.
Use of artificial intelligence tools to identify CaCO3 polymorphs in the scaling process under oil well conditions
Inorganic scaling by calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) in oil wells is one of the major challenges to flow assurance, especially in pre-salt environments where variations in pressure, temperature, and CO₂ degassing promote the precipitation of polymorphs such as calcite, aragonite, and vaterite. These deposits reduce production efficiency and significantly increase operational costs. In this context, this study proposes the use of artificial neural networks (ANNs) and computer vision techniques to automatically identify and segment CaCO₃ polymorphs from in situ microscopic images. The model was developed using the YOLOv8n-seg architecture, a state-of-the-art You Only Look Once (YOLO) convolutional neural network designed for real-time object detection and segmentation with high accuracy and low computational cost, adapted here to identify and quantify CaCO₃ crystalline morphologies. The training, performed with images obtained in a pressurized reactor under simulated pre-salt well conditions, achieved expressive performance metrics (mAP@0.5 = 0.933 and F1-score = 0.89). The results demonstrate that the Artificial Intelligence (AI) based approach can distinguish calcite, aragonite, and vaterite morphologies quickly and reliably, complementing traditional characterization methods such as X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, by enhancing automatic and real-time analytical capabilities. The study highlights the potential of neural networks to improve the diagnosis and control of scale formation in petroleum production systems, contributing to higher operational efficiency and safety.
inorganic scaling; calcium carbonate; neural networks; computer vision; YOLOv8.
CFD-DEM in energy conversion technologies: a mini-review on parameters associated with residual-residual and residual-wall interactions in the reactor
The global energy transition has driven the development of technologies capable of converting biomass and waste into fuels. In this context, spouted bed reactors stand out due to their high gas–solid mixing efficiency, enhancing thermochemical processes. However, predicting the fluid dynamic behavior of these reactors remains challenging due to the complex fluid–particle interactions. The coupling between Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and the Discrete Element Method (DEM) emerges as a promising approach to understanding these phenomena, provided that the input parameters are experimentally determined and physically consistent. This work presents a mini-review of experimental procedures and methodologies used to determine fundamental parameters in CFD-DEM simulations, such as the coefficient of restitution, static and rolling friction coefficients, and angle of repose. The main procedures reported in the literature are described, including the free-fall method, inclined plane, rolling ramp, and rectangular box with movable flaps. The analysis shows that the proper definition of these parameters is essential for the reliability and reproducibility of simulations. It is concluded that the integration of standardized experimental tests with numerical modeling represents the most efficient approach to improving gas–solid system simulations and accelerating the development of innovative and sustainable energy conversion technologies.
Numerical strategies for simulating flow through thin isotropic porous media: benchmark between Ansys Fluent and OpenFOAM
The present work performs a benchmark between the softwares Ansys Fluent and OpenFOAM for the simulation of flow in thin isotropic porous media. The single-phase, turbulent, and steady-state simulations were conducted based on experimental data from the literature, namely, pressure drop data by filtration velocity resulting from flow in a filtration box, which allowed adjusting the parameters of viscous and inertial losses for the macroscale modeling of the flow in a filter. The results showed agreement between the adjusted and simulated pressure drop obtained by the pressure averages at the porous medium inlet and outlet. The analysis of velocity and static pressure contours proved to be coherent with the flow dynamics in both softwares with deviations ranging between 1.43% and 12.37% for maximum pressure and between 0.97% and 4.18% for maximum velocity. The study revealed critical issues for modeling flow in porous media through the adjustment of pressure drop data by filtration velocity: the viscous and inertial resistance coefficients calibrated by the regression of experimental data induced pressure drop errors of 10%, 4.6%, and 1%, for filtration velocities of 5, 10, and 15 cm/s, respectively; the approach used for data validation based on the average pressures at the porous medium inlet and outlet proved to be robust due to the capture of the pressure distribution over the entire filter surface; the modeling of the inlet velocity based on the mass balance between the porous medium and inlet, resulted in numerically higher filtration velocities than the theoretical ones, indicating the need for an iterative adjustment in this condition to ensure that the required filtration velocity is properly reproduced in the porous medium; the high-pressure gradients, boundary layer detachment, and recirculation zones evidenced the need for using more robust turbulence models for the capture of the involved phenomena; and finally, the boundary condition approach using porousBafflePressure presented unsolved convergence challenges for the tested scenarios, preventing its viability.
CFD, Filter, Darcy-Forchheimer, Ansys Fluent, OpenFOAM
Aproveitamento do calor residual da incineração de biomassa de um sistema híbrido PTC-RSU para geração de hidrogênio e processos térmicos auxiliares
Este trabalho apresenta uma análise teórica do aproveitamento do calor residual gerado em uma planta híbrida de incineração de resíduos sólidos urbanos (RSU) e energia termossolar concentrada (PTC). O sistema estudado opera 24/7, com um fluxo de 27,04 kg/s de RSU e produção contínua de 77 MW, sem armazenamento. A temperatura do calor residual varia entre 220°C e 788°C ao longo do dia. Avalia-se a viabilidade de produção de hidrogênio através de reforma termoquímica e SOEC durante as horas de alta temperatura e a utilização do calor residual noturno para secagem da biomassa ou processos térmicos auxiliares. O estudo considera parâmetros médios de eficiência da literatura sendo o rendimento da reforma de 35% e rendimento do SOEC de 30%. Os resultados indicam que o calor residual pode gerar entre 12 e 18 kg de H₂ por tonelada de RSU durante o dia, pelas rotas tecnológica de SOEC e de reforma termoquímica respectivamente, enquanto o calor noturno pode ser aproveitado para processos de secagem, aumentando a eficiência global do sistema e reduzindo desperdícios energéticos. O trabalho fornece uma base teórica para futuras implementações e otimizações em plantas híbridas urbanas de geração de energia.
Viabilidade técnica e econômica da conversão da energia térmica oceânica para a geração termelétrica sustentável no litoral do Espírito Santo
Nos últimos anos, nenhuma rota tecnológica para geração elétrica a partir de fontes renováveis vem alcançado maior viabilidade técnica e econômica que a solar fotovoltaica e a eólica. Porém, a ausência de geradores síncronos destas duas rotas vem impedindo o despacho da eletricidade gerada por estas duas fontes, para evitar a instabilidade e até a derrubada dos sistemas de rede elétrica interligada, como aconteceu este ano na Península Ibérica, além da forte intermitência destas duas fontes. Diante desta situação, aliado à crescente demanda energética e a preocupação em reduzir os impactos ambientais na geração de energia elétrica, bem como os esforços para a descarbonização, torna-se importante o estudo de novas rotas para a geração elétrica a partir de fontes alternativas de energia renovável. Dentre as diversas rotas, desponta a de conversão de energia térmica dos oceanos (Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion - OTEC), que usa geradores síncronos e não é uma fonte intermitente, apesar de alguma variação sazonal. A OTEC aproveita o gradiente vertical de temperatura dos oceanos para geração de potência elétrica, usando um ciclo termodinâmico de potência com um fluido orgânico, ou seja, em um ciclo Rankine orgânico (Organic Rankine Cycle - ORC). Assim, neste trabalho são apresentados os princípios de funcionamento desta rota, um estudo de eficiência e viabilidade técnica e econômica de um sistema OTEC para as condições do litoral capixaba. Utilizando modelagem matemática baseada em princípios termodinâmicos e modelos econômicos, são avaliados os índices de viabilidade técnica e econômica. Apesar dos resultados não mostrarem a viabilidade econômica, neste caso estudado, existe viabilidade técnica desta rota alternativa para descarbonização, se incentivada.
Title Governmental energy Efficiency certifications in buildings: A comparative analysis of EPC (EU), PBE Edifica (BR), Energy Star (USA), and ESGB (CHN)
Globally, buildings account for a significant share of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, which has driven the creation of certification models to assess their energy performance. This study compares four governmental certifications: the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) in the European Union, the Brazilian Building Energy Labeling Program (PBE Edifica), Energy Star in the United States, and the Evaluation Standard for Green Building (ESGB) in China. Based on documentary and bibliographic research, the analysis considered institutional origin, scope, methodologies, criteria, rating scales, certification processes, mandatory requirements, costs, and impacts. The study concludes that the effectiveness of these instruments depends on technical rigor, consistent public policies, and fiscal incentives, making them strategic tools for energy transition and urban sustainability.
Urban sustainability; Energy public policies; Energy governance; Energy efficiency in buildings; Energy performance certificates.
Pirólise catalítica da casca de café: estudo preliminar do rendimento líquido em diferentes condições operacionais
Resíduos agroindustriais lignocelulósicos, como a casca de café, apresentam potencial para a produção de biocombustíveis via pirólise catalítica. Este estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar essa biomassa e avaliar o rendimento líquido da pirólise catalítica in situ em reator de leito fixo. A casca de café foi submetida a análises físico-químicas e termogravimétricas. Os ensaios foram realizados em reator tubular sob atmosfera inerte de nitrogênio, com duas concentrações de catalisador (3% e 17%) e duas temperaturas (480°C e 640°C). A biomassa apresentou baixo teor de umidade e elevado teor de voláteis, indicando bom potencial energético. A maior produção de líquido (49%) foi obtida a 480°C com 17% de catalisador, enquanto a 640°C, a concentração de 3% resultou em rendimento superior (45%), provavelmente devido à intensificação de reações secundárias em temperaturas mais elevadas.
Energy and thermal properties of cocoa husk, polypropylene, and clinoptilolite for catalytic co-pyrolysis.
A pirólise, um processo termoquímico realizado em altas temperaturas e na ausência de oxigênio, é uma tecnologia promissora para a valorização de resíduos, como biomassa e plásticos, convertendo-os em produtos de alto valor como bio-óleo, gás e biocarvão. A co-pirólise consiste na conversão simultânea de diferentes resíduos, permitindo explorar efeitos sinérgicos entre biomassa e polímeros plásticos, o que pode resultar em maior rendimento energético e melhoria da qualidade dos produtos. Este estudo tem como objetivo caracterizar a casca de cacau, o polipropileno e a clinoptilolita, a fim de investigar parâmetros térmicos e energéticos que subsidiem o planejamento dos experimentos de co-pirólise catalítica. Busca-se identificar as principais faixas de degradação térmica, o potencial energético dos insumos e a estabilidade do catalisador, de modo a avaliar sinergias entre biomassa e plástico e a viabilidade da clinoptilolita como catalisador natural. A análise imediata e poder calorífico da casca de cacau, bem como a termogravimetria (TG/DTG) dos três materiais utilizados, forneceram informações essenciais sobre composição e comportamento térmico. A casca de cacau apresentou 9,03% de umidade, 65,78% de voláteis, 10,95% de cinzas e 14,24% de carbono fixo, além de PCS de 15,28 MJ/kg, valores próximos aos relatados para biomassas lignocelulósicas. As curvas TG/DTG mostraram degradação multietapa da casca de cacau, monofásica do PP (400–500 °C) e elevada estabilidade da clinoptilolita até 900 °C. Os resultados servem como base para o desenvolvimento de rotas sustentáveis de valorização de resíduos e produção de energia.
Fractional condensation of pyrolysis vapors: Fundamentals, equipment and potential for bio-oil valorization
Fast pyrolysis is an established and efficient technology for converting biomass into liquid products, but the resulting bio-oil is a complex and reactive mixture, requiring additional refinement steps to make its use viable. Developing an effective technique is crucial for extracting valuable chemicals. Fractional condensation (FC) is a promising online separation method that acts directly on hot pyrolysis vapors, reducing energy consumption. This research reviews FC, evaluating its parameters and equipment. The process consists of a series of condensers with decreasing temperatures, which allow the separation of components based on their dew points. Temperature control is the most important parameter, dictating the selectivity and composition of the obtained fractions. The results demonstrate that FC is effective in obtaining more stable and usable fractions. It was possible to identify organic fractions with significantly reduced water content and high calorific value, in addition to the removal of carboxylic acids in the low-temperature stages, improving stability and mitigating corrosion. Phenol-rich fractions can also be obtained, reinforcing the potential of pyrolysis as a biorefinery platform. However, challenges remain, such as the need for precise temperature control and the impact of non-condensable gases (NCGs). Future research should focus on optimizing composition control, modeling the effects of NCGs, and maximizing the extraction of valuable chemicals on an industrial scale. These advances could solidify CF as a key step toward the efficient and sustainable use of bio-oil in energy and chemical applications.
Olive oil adulteration and energy efficiency: analytical innovations and sustainable perspectives - an integrative review
Olive oil adulteration represents a growing challenge to product authenticity, food safety, and sustainability. This integrative review analyzed 18 studies published between 2023 and 2025, selected according to PRISMA criteria, focusing on analytical methods applied to fraud detection and their relationship with energy efficiency. Optical, magnetic, chromatographic, and multisensory techniques were evaluated based on sensitivity, energy consumption, waste generation, automation, and equipment life cycle. The NIR and TD‑NMR methods and the multisensor system were the most energy-efficient according to the parameters analyzed, achieving accuracies above 90% and detection limits between 2% and 5%. Conventional techniques, while accurate, require more infrastructure and higher energy input and generate chemical waste. Integration with artificial intelligence was recurrent, enhancing the robustness of predictive models. Despite progress, gaps remain, such as reliance on complex laboratories, the need for industrial validation, and the limited availability of portable devices with high precision. Considering these limitations, future perspectives point to the development of miniaturized sensors and autonomous analytical systems capable of performing local data processing and enabling rapid, accurate, energy-efficient, and sustainable analyses across various production and regulatory contexts.
olive oil; adulteration; energy efficiency; sustainability; analytical methods.
Recovery of ethanol from alcoholic beverages seized by the Federal Revenue Service in the triple border area between Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina
Ethanol is an organic substance with a saturated carbon chain, whose functional group is the hydroxyl group. The raw materials used in alcohol production are mainly of agricultural origin, and in Brazil, the main one is sugarcane, from which hydrated ethanol, anhydrous ethanol, and fine ethanol are obtained, used in various industrial segments or as fuel. Currently, there is a growing concern with the search for new sources for ethanol production, which has led to residues gaining prominence as promising raw materials. In the city of Foz do Iguaçu, located on the triple border between Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, the Federal Revenue Service, aiming to provide an appropriate destination for seized alcoholic beverages that need to be discarded, partnered with the Federal University of Latin American Integration to carry out their proper reuse. In this context, the objective of this work is the recovery of the ethanol contained in the seized alcoholic beverages and transferred to the University, using a Bioethanol Teaching Plant for this procedure. The methodology adopted for the execution of this work is divided into four stages: bibliographic review, mixing of alcoholic beverages (to prevent them from being resold) and transport logistics, distillation process and analysis of efficiency and yield, and forwarding of the ethanol for various uses. The results showed that, in relation to the distillation time, the flow rate of 62.5 L/h was the most viable, since under this condition, in 100 min of operation, 26.4 L of ethanol with a content of 90.5°GL were recovered, obtaining an efficiency of 62%.
waste; reuse; distillation; ethyl alcohol; sustainability.
Technical-economic evaluation of the implementation of an integrated ethanol biorefinery: literature review
In Brazil, ethanol is a fuel produced in sugarcane biorefineries that generate sugar, ethanol and bioelectricity. The full use of the residual lignocellulosic biomass generated in these facilities can contribute to increasing ethanol production, although the relatively high costs of installing and operating second-generation ethanol production lines are still an obstacle. Thus, the objective of the present work was to perform a bibliographic review of publications on the simulation of integrated ethanol production processes in sugarcane biorefinery. To perform a bibliometrics of relevant publications on this topic, two scientific databases were consulted and the publications were selected by the date of publication, by the average number of annual citations and by the analysis of the expanded abstracts. The metadata of the selected publications were used for the scientific mapping carried out in the Bibliometrix software. Regarding the results of the bibliometric analysis, 152 publications were found and an annual growth rate of publications equal to 12.6% was observed. Most of the most productive authors in this research section are Brazilian and are associated with Brazilian universities and research institutions. From the literature review carried out, it was concluded that most of the feasibility analysis of sugarcane ethanol biorefinery projects are carried out in the Aspen Plus process simulator, combined with the use of electronic spreadsheets. In the selected studies, there is a consensus that the integrated production of ethanol presents higher productivity when compared to the autonomous operation of first-generation ethanol, although the technical difficulties of the production of second-generation ethanol still reside in the pre-treatment and enzymatic hydrolysis stages. As the main methodologies for the economic evaluation of ethanol biorefinery installation projects, the internal rate of return (IRR) and the evaluation of the cost of capital associated with the ethanol sale price stand out.
Technologies used to capture CO2 in the steel industry: a bibliometric analysis
The steel industry has a high energy demand and is responsible for significant carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, accounting for between 7% and 9% of global emissions. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies emerge as essential alternatives for the decarbonization of this sector, contributing to achieving net-zero emission targets by 2050. This study carried out a bibliometric and prior art analysis of technologies applied to carbon capture in steelmaking processes, using the Web of Science, Scopus, Espacenet, and Patentscope databases for the period from 2020 to 2025. A total of 492 articles and 10 relevant patents were identified, with post-combustion routes predominating, particularly those employing absorption and adsorption technologies. The results show a growing global interest in the topic, led by researchers and institutions from China, with emphasis on studies integrating computational simulations and thermoenergetic analyses. It was also found that replacing fossil fuels with biomass, combined with CCS, can achieve negative emissions. However, implementation costs, comparative efficiency among routes, and the integration of renewable energy sources still require further investment. Advances in modeling research, materials development, and incentive policies are crucial to enabling the transition of the steel industry toward a low-carbon economy.
carbon capture; carbon dioxide; steel industry; decarbonization; bibliometrics
Use of macroalgae for wastewater treatment containing dyes from industry
The deterioration of the environment caused by the use of synthetic dyes originating from the textile industry poses a significant environmental challenge, due to the difficulty of degrading these compounds through conventional treatment systems, since these molecules have a complex structure. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of using macroalgae as biosorbents for the removal of dyes from textile effluents, applying a bibliometric approach and a technological prior art analysis. The searches were carried out in the Web of Science and Scopus databases to select published articles, followed by quantitative and qualitative analyses using the R software (Bibliometrix package). In addition, the state of the art in national and international patents was investigated. The results show a marked increase in publications on the topic since 2017, although still limited, with China and Iran standing out as the main scientific producers. The patent analysis revealed a scarcity of technologies related to the use of macroalgae for dye removal, highlighting relevant opportunities for innovation. It is concluded that this technique represents a promising, sustainable, and underexplored alternative for effluent treatment, justifying the need for further studies and technological development in this area.
macroalga; corantes; indústria têxtil; efluentes; biossorvente
Comparative analysis of methods for determining total acid number in oil and derivatives from a sustainability perspective
The Total Acidity Number (TAN) is a critical parameter in the evaluation of the quality of petroleum and derivatives, influencing refining processes, equipment corrosivity and maintenance costs. Traditionally, classical colorimetric, potentiometric, and thermometric methods, such as ASTM D974, ASTM D664, and ABNT NBR 14448, have been widely used due to their simplicity and reliability. However, these methods have high consumption of organic solvents and waste generation, as well as limitations regarding accuracy in complex matrices. Thus, the objective of this work was to comparatively analyze the main methods of determining TAN in petroleum and derivatives, considering analytical efficiency and sustainability criteria, through the Sustainability Degree Assessment (GS). A systematic survey was carried out (Scielo, Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar) and sustainability was evaluated by Multicriteria Analysis (MCDA) in three criteria: Environmental (weight 0.5), Economic (0.3) and Social/Operational (0.2) with a score from 1 to 5. The SG was calculated by weighted average and classified as low (GS<2.0), medium (2.0≤GS<3.5) and high (GS≥3.5). The results showed that the colorimetric methods have low sustainability (SG between 2.85 and 3.25), while the classical potentiometric methods have medium sustainability (SG between 2.65 and 3.05). The Micellar Solubilization Nanoemulsion (MSN) method stood out as a promising alternative, reaching GS=3.60 and being classified as highly sustainable. The ASTM D8045 thermometric method obtained GS=3.30, configuring itself as an intermediate technology. It was concluded, therefore, that the colorimetric methods presented lower sustainability (high use of solvents and subjectivity), while the classical potentiometric methods had intermediate performance, with the MSN method being the most sustainable and robust, while the thermometric method is the intermediate.
Comparison of the performance of PV and PV/T systems through computational modeling applied to a commercial consumer unit
This work presents a comparative case study, through computational simulations using Matlab software, between the installation of a conventional PV system and a hybrid PV/T system in a hotel located in Vila Velha–ES, where water heating for 45 suites is carried out by electric showers. The simulations considered meteorological data (solar irradiance and ambient temperature), an electrical consumption profile obtained through measurement, as well as installation constraints related to available area and shading. The results indicated that, although the PV/T system has a lower peak power and occupies a smaller area, it demonstrates superior performance when considering the total energy balance. The main advantage observed was a 12.07% reduction in total load consumption, resulting from the use of thermal energy for water heating, which reduces electrical demand. This substitution led to a decrease in grid consumption and an increase of 284.5% in the financial credit generated at the end of the simulated period. The findings demonstrate that the PV/T system represents a more efficient solution for facilities with high water heating demand, optimizing space utilization and contributing to the reduction of electrical grid load. Keywords: Hybrid Photovoltaic/Thermal System; Photovoltaic System; Energy Efficiency; Water Heating; Computational Simulation.
Hybrid Photovoltaic/Thermal System; Photovoltaic System; Energy Efficiency; Water Heating; Computational Simulation.
Mathematical Modeling of Geological CO₂ Storage: Analysis of the Incorporation of the Hysteresis Effect in Relative Permeability Equations and Capillary Pressure
Geological CO₂ storage is one of the main strategies for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. This study analyzes the effect of hysteresis on capillary pressure (Pc) and relative permeability (kr) curves, which are fundamental for understanding the multiphase behavior of CO₂ in porous media. Based on the Brooks–Corey (1964) and Killough (1976) models, and recent literature data, it was observed that considering hysteresis significantly alters the Pc and kr curves, increasing capillary and residual trapping while reducing CO₂ mobility. The results indicate that hysteretic models provide more realistic and reliable predictions regarding the efficiency and stability of geological carbon storage, especially in gas injection cycles.
carbon dioxide; carbon storage; capillary trapping; hysteresis; numerical modeling
Load control in smart grids: a review of NILM-, machine learn-, and reflectometry-based approaches
Load control is essential for the efficient management of energy systems, especially in smart grids with distributed generation. This management relies on data collection through sensors, which are later processed by machine learning algorithms. This study aims to analyze the main load classification methods, the algorithms employed, and their various applications in real-world contexts. The adopted methodology consists of a comparative review of three approaches: (i) non-intrusive load monitoring (NILM), (ii) methods using sensors based on reflectometry, and (iii) independent techniques that utilize machine learning and the Internet of Things (IoT). The results indicate that, although NILM is widely used for load monitoring and independent methods offer diverse strategies for real-time tracking, approaches based on reflectometry sensors demonstrate greater potential in improving accuracy and enhancing load control. This study also highlights accessible and sustainable solutions for the energy sector and emphasizes the untapped potential of reflectometry in smart electrical grids, a recent and promising topic.
Machine learning; Load control; NILM; Reflectometry; Smart grids.
Optimization of reactive power compensation in industrial facilities with photovoltaic distributed generation.
The advancement of distributed photovoltaic generation in industrial environments has led to a significant reduction in electricity costs but has also changed the reactive power demand profile of installations. This shift can reduce the overall power factor (PF), leading to tariff penalties and overloading of the electrical system. This work presents an optimization model for PF correction in industrial consumers with photovoltaic generation, employing simplex linear programming to size and allocate fixed and automatic capacitor banks. The methodology considers multiple generation and demand scenarios, allowing reactive power compensation to be adjusted efficiently and economically. The study shows that the integration of photovoltaic plants can cause a significant reduction in PF during periods of high generation, requiring adaptable compensation strategies. The results indicate that applying the proposed model makes it possible to maintain the PF within the regulatory limits established by the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency (ANEEL), avoiding penalties for excess reactive power and ensuring the economic benefits of distributed generation. The approach contributes to industrial energy planning by integrating renewable generation with reactive power correction techniques, enhancing both efficiency and system reliability.
power factor, photovoltaic generation, capacitor banks, linear programming, energy efficiency