Storage as a tool to improve wood fuel quality

This work analysed the influence of storage in the quality of forest biomass for energy generation in the region of Lages, Brazil. Logs of Pinus taeda L. and Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden were harvested and piled during the four different seasons: spring, summer, fall and winter. The analyses were perfor...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biomass & bioenergy 2011-07, Vol.35 (7), p.2581-2588
Main Authors: Brand, Martha Andreia, Bolzon de Muñiz, Graciela Inês, Quirino, Waldir Ferreira, Brito, José Otávio
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
ash content
Biomass
Biomass species
Energy
Energy production
Eucalyptus
Exact sciences and technology
forests
Fuels
fuelwood
harvesting
Harvesting season
Natural energy
Pinus taeda
sodium hydroxide
species diversity
spring
storage quality
Storage season
Storage time
summer
water content
winter
Wood
Wood. Peat. Brown coal
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Summary:This work analysed the influence of storage in the quality of forest biomass for energy generation in the region of Lages, Brazil. Logs of Pinus taeda L. and Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden were harvested and piled during the four different seasons: spring, summer, fall and winter. The analyses were performed immediately after harvesting (without being stored), after two, four and six months of storage. The evaluated properties were: moisture content, gross and net calorific value, ash content and solubility in cold water, hot water and sodium hydroxide. The species composition, storage span, harvesting season and storage season influenced the forest biomass characteristics. In general, eucalyptus presented better results than pine, losing moisture faster, having less alteration in the chemical composition and producing greater energetic gain over storage time. For both species, the ideal storage time was four months. Furthermore, spring and summer were the best harvesting seasons. Thus, if the forest biomass is harvested at the end of winter or beginning of spring with subsequent storage during the summer, this biomass will have the best performance for energy production. ► This work demonstrated the most important factors to energy valorisation to the forestry wastes on Brazil. ► The harvesting season influenced the quality of the forest biomass for energy production. ► The best times for the harvesting were the spring and summer. ► The ideal storage span was of four months.
ISSN:0961-9534
1873-2909
DOI:10.1016/j.biombioe.2011.02.005