Thermal Diagnosis of Heat Conduction and Combustion Time of Fruits of the Brazil Nut Tree (Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl.)

The objective of this work was to evaluate the spatial and temporal dynamics of the process of combustion of fruits of the Brazil nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl.) using thermographic images in order to characterize the potential of this biomass as an energy source for use in ceramic kilns. Infrared thermography was used as a diagnostic tool, and the trial was conducted in November 2018, in two blocks with two repetitions in each, with the fruits organized so that the cavity was oriented upward and also downward. The thermograms were analyzed using Flir Tools (6.3 v). The temperatures were the highest in the center of the fruits (>160°C), attaining incandescence in 6 min 30 s. Heat was propagated from the center to the edge, and this process was quicker for fruits with their cavities pointed upward. A second order polynomial model explained combustion time with a maximum duration of 7.2 minutes. The thermographic diagnostic has the potential to be used in management strategies for this biomass as an energy source, thus aggregating value to the residuals that are normally left in the forest during harvest by extractivists.