Evaluating the quality of wood waste pellets and environmental impact mitigation for decentralized energy recovery in the Amazon

Isabella A. Sá, Lucélia A. Macedo, Sant’Anna Chaves, Bruno, Luiz Gustavo O. Galvão, Ailton Teixeira Vale, Grace F. Ghesti, Thiago de Paula Protásio, Juliana Sabino Rodrigues, Giulia Cruz Lamas and Edgar A. Silveira

Renewable Energy, 2024, vol. 231, issue C

Abstract: This study explores the integration of legal timber harvesting and conservation efforts in the Amazon, repurposing wood processing waste into biofuel through pelletization to meet environmental standards and reduce diesel dependence in isolated systems. The research focuses on pellets derived from six Amazonian species managed sustainably: Peltogyne lecointei (S1), Erisma uncinatum (S2), Martiodendron elatum (S3), Handroanthus incanus (S4), Dipteryx odorata (S5), and Allantoma decandra (S6). Four blends (B1: S5 and S6; B2: all species; B3: S1, S3, S4 and S5; B4: S2 and S6) with different species combinations are pelleted at 8 % and 10 % moisture content. Pellet characteristics are compared with ISO 17225-2 standards [1], including calorific value, bulk density, water content, dimensions, ash content, mechanical durability, and fines. Although blends B1, B2, and B3 meet A1-criteria, none achieve the required 96.5 % mechanical durability. B3, pelleted with 10 % moisture content, exhibits the highest durability (90.4 %). Pelletization enhanced the bioenergy density by 255 % and showed a bioenergy index up to 12.50 GJ m−3. The produced pellets reported a potential CO2 emissions mitigation of up to 1259.38 kgCO2eq by replacing diesel fuel. However, the blends do not meet the sulfur (>0.05 %) content requirement for industrial and domestic applications, deserving further investigation into pre-treatment.

Keywords: Tropical wood; Amazonia region; Forest concessions; Wood waste; Solid biofuel (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:231:y:2024:i:c:s0960148124009972

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2024.120929

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