Composition, Ageing and Herbicidal Properties of Wood Vinegar Obtained through Fast Biomass Pyrolysis

Juan Luis Aguirre, Juan Baena, María Teresa Martín, Leonor Nozal, Sergio González, José Luis Manjón and Manuel Peinado
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Juan Luis Aguirre: Cátedra de Medio Ambiente, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad de Alcalá, 28871 Madrid, Spain
Juan Baena: Cátedra de Medio Ambiente, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad de Alcalá, 28871 Madrid, Spain
María Teresa Martín: Cátedra de Medio Ambiente, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad de Alcalá, 28871 Madrid, Spain
Leonor Nozal: Centro de Química Aplicada y Biotecnología, Universidad de Alcalá, 28871 Madrid, Spain
Sergio González: Cátedra de Medio Ambiente, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad de Alcalá, 28871 Madrid, Spain
José Luis Manjón: Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad de Alcalá, 28871 Madrid, Spain
Manuel Peinado: Environment and Bioproducts Group, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad de Alcalá, 28871 Madrid, Spain

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 10, 1-17

Abstract: Lignocellulosic biomass pyrolysis could be an economically feasible option for forest management as it reduces the need to burn litter and helps in fire prevention thus avoiding the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This study characterises wood vinegar (WV) obtained via a continuous fast pyrolysis process in terms of its composition, ageing and herbicidal properties. The aqueous WV fraction had a moisture content of 84% in weight and contained more than 200 compounds. Acetic acid, hydroxyacetaldehyde and hydroxyacetone were the major components. No significant differences were found in WV composition according to the starting material (poplar, pine, pruning litter, forest waste). No residual aromatic polycyclic compounds that could be harmful to the environment were detected. In a series of climate-controlled glass chamber experiments, the WV proved to be as effective an inhibitor of seed germination and seedling growth as a contact herbicide acting against weeds, especially through aerial contact. Sprayed WV concentrations of 50, 75 and 100 vol. % were effective against all plant species tested. This product could therefore be of commercial interest and help make biomass pyrolysis economically viable, once environmental exposure limits and the safe application for agricultural and urban use of this product have been established.

Keywords: wood vinegar; herbicide; fast pyrolysis; glyphosate; forest waste; weeds control (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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