Among the initiatives aimed at further fostering the growth of natural gas, renewable energy, and biofuels production and markets in Sergipe, currently being carried out by Universidade Tiradentes (Unit), is the deepening of research focused on improving the discovery, exploration, and utilization of these products, aiming to make them cheaper and more accessible to the population and economic sectors. This work is being conducted by researchers, including professors, graduates, and master's and doctoral students from the Graduate Programs in Process Engineering (PEP) and Industrial Biotechnology (PBI), in conjunction with the Institute of Technology and Research (ITP).
One of these research projects focuses on the production of advanced biofuels through biomass processing. The project, funded by the Portuguese oil company Galp, aims to develop thermochemical processes employing pressurized fluids, chemical and biochemical catalysts in the production routes of bio-kerosene, biodiesel, biogas, 2G and 3G ethanol, as well as other techniques. It involves approximately 30 researchers, including doctors, post-doctorates, hired technicians, master's and doctoral students, as well as undergraduate students participating in Scientific Initiation programs.
These studies included a visit to Dublin, Ireland, between November 19th and 24th of last year, by Professor Cláudio Dariva, a researcher from the Colloidal Systems Studies Center (Nuesc/ITP) and lecturer at PEP and PBI. During the visit, Dariva became acquainted with and observed the operation of companies working with biomass processing and even waste. "People use urban waste as well as agroforestry waste, agro-industrial waste, and turn it into fuels. So, instead of making gasoline, diesel, or kerosene from petroleum, the idea is to make them from urban waste and biomass," he explains. One of these Irish companies, Dublin Waste to Energy, is in negotiations with the State Government to invest R$ 900 million in implementing a similar plant in Sergipe.
The research conducted at Unit and ITP, as well as the information gathered during the visit to Ireland, contribute to a more ambitious project: the establishment of a center of excellence in Sergipe for the production of advanced biofuels from biomass. "There are several available technologies, and within ITP and Unit, we have a group of researchers and installed laboratories working with fermentation, biomass processing, hydrogen production, carbon capture processes for air cleaning, among other technologies. The idea is to develop these fronts to produce innovative processes and products in the bioenergy area," adds Dariva.
According to the professor, the research conducted in Sergipe is in line with what is being discussed on the international stage: the energy transition from fossil fuels to bioenergy and other renewable sources. In this case, the main strategy to be followed by Sergipe, including in the training of researchers and professionals, is the diversification of energy matrices and sources of production. "Our state is extremely privileged due to the energy matrix because we have oil, gas, thermal power plants, hydroelectric plants, biomass, wind energy, and solar panels. This is fantastic when you want to be a market leader in this area. We believe that this matrix needs to be diversified. This means that we should not solely focus on a single renewable energy. It means that we have to strengthen the diversified part of the energy matrix," said Dariva.
Natural Gas
Another research conducted within Nuesc/ITP and with Unit addresses a demand from the natural gas sector, where there are high expectations for increased production in Sergipe. The study, commissioned by Petrobras, aims to calculate properties such as viscosity and density of gases in pressurized systems, through analyses of gas mixtures at high pressures. It also involves master's, doctoral students, and undergraduate students in scientific initiation.
"Natural gas is compressed under high pressure, mainly in reservoir environments. When we analyze the reservoir of the Sergipe Deepwater basin, it is in an environment of very high pressures. The properties of this gas are quite different and difficult to determine. Our group currently has a structure at Nuesc/ITP/Unit that allows us to analyze this gas under those reservoir conditions. Thus, we can determine all its properties under real processing conditions, which allows the development and use of the best exploration technologies," says Dariva, regarding the structure of Nuesc.
The researcher also emphasizes that the structure and technical staff of ITP and UNIT have been continuously involved in the training and qualification of professionals at various levels to work in the oil, gas, and biofuels industry. "We believe this to be one of our vocations as an Institute and University," he concludes, regarding Tiradentes Group's involvement in this important productive sector of the state.
