The wood industry in Metropolitan Lima generates significant amounts of Shihuahuaco (Dipteryx micrantha) sawdust, which remains underutilized despite its high calorific potential. This study evaluates the technical and preliminary industrial feasibility of revalorizing this residue through pellet production as a precursor to briquette manufacturing. Different formulations incorporating natural binders—tara gum, molasses, and corn starch—were experimentally assessed to determine their effects on mechanical durability, calorific value, and gaseous emissions. Pellets were produced under controlled compaction and drying conditions and tested using the MICUM abrasion method, bomb calorimetry, and flue gas analysis (CO, CO₂, NOx, SO₂, HC). Results indicate that tara gum is the most effective binder, achieving low abrasion indices (1.39–3.35%) and competitive calorific values, with the optimal formulation reaching 22.32 MJ/kg, comparable to commercial charcoal used in Peruvian food establishments. Beyond technical validation, the study identifies potential end users—particularly small and medium-scale rotisserie restaurants in Lima—with stable demand for solid biofuels. From an Industrial Engineering perspective, the proposal integrates waste valorization, process optimization, and circular economy principles, highlighting the potential for sustainable energy substitution and improved industrial waste management in urban Peru.

Keywords

Biomass, Sawdust, Pellet characterization, Combustion gases, Shihuahuaco.