Characterization and evaluation of the energy potential of orange bagasse

Climate change, fossil fuel depletion, and rising global energy demand underscore the need for strategic alternatives in energy conversion. In this context, the citrus processing industry, particularly orange juice production, represents a promising pathway for bioenergy recovery. Global orange processing (17.14 million metric tons), led by Brazil, Mexico, and the United States, generates large volumes of wastes such as peel, pulp, and seeds. This study characterized the chemical and thermophysical properties of these wastes and evaluated their energy availability potential. The results revealed attractive fuel characteristics, with a heating value (HHV_db  = 17.64 MJ kg⁻¹) and ultimate and proximate compositions comparable to those of sugarcane bagasse, a biomass extensively used in Brazilian sugar–energy facilities. Despite the high theoretical energy potential (∼429 thousand toe), the high as-received moisture content (>80%) remains a major barrier to efficient combustion. To address this constraint, scenarios combining mechanical pressing (reducing moisture to 65%) and subsequent thermal rotary drying were evaluated in terms of net energy availability. Under these conditions, the net energy available (∼202 thousand toe) not only met the thermal demand of the juice concentration stage but also generated surplus energy for processes such as juice pasteurization or sale through cogeneration. Although the use of orange wastes as solid biofuels may not yield the highest financial returns, it presents a technically viable strategy to strengthen energy self-sufficiency, reduce dependence on external fossil fuels, and mitigate environmental liabilities in the citrus industry.