Brazilian researchers seeks ways to further enhance sugarcane ethanol GHG footprint
In Brazil, Agencia Estadao reports ethanol occupies a prominent position in the Brazilian energy matrix, being appointed as an ally in the fight against climate change. Still, their production is not without environmental impacts. The burning of biomass in the plants and other stages of the process release significant volumes of carbon dioxide (CO2), the main gas associated with the greenhouse effect. To meet this challenge, Brazilian researchers develop technologies that not only reduce these emissions, but propose new ways to reuse the released carbon, reinforcing the role of ethanol in the low-carbon economy.
Two recent studies with the participation of the University of São Paulo (USP) illustrate this movement. A bet on the direct capture of CO2 generated at power plants through an innovative system capable of retaining most of the gas before it is released into the atmosphere. The other proposes to transform this same CO2 into input for the construction industry, in the production of a new type of cement reinforced with vegetable fibers, more durable and environmentally efficient.
Category: Research
