Evaluation of Urban Tree Leaf Biomass-Potential, Physico-Mechanical and Chemical Parameters of Raw Material and Solid Biofuel

Krzysztof Mudryk, Marcin Jewiarz, Marek Wróbel, Marcin Niemiec and Arkadiusz Dyjakon
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Krzysztof Mudryk: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Agrophysics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Balicka 120, 30-149 Kraków, Poland
Marcin Jewiarz: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Agrophysics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Balicka 120, 30-149 Kraków, Poland
Marek Wróbel: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Agrophysics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Balicka 120, 30-149 Kraków, Poland
Marcin Niemiec: Department of Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry, University of Agriculture in Krakow, 31-120 Krakow, Poland
Arkadiusz Dyjakon: Department of Applied Bioeconomy, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 51-630 Wroclaw, Poland

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 4, 1-14

Abstract: The paper presents the results of research aimed at evaluating the possibility of using selected tree leaf species to produce solid biofuels. The possibility of production of qualitative solid biofuels from urban tree leaves meets the expectations of the municipal sector. Collection of tree leaves in urban areas is very often necessary for road safety reasons, the need to collect biomass rich in dust and pollution as well as biomass infested with pests. The production of solid biofuels from tree leaves allows for effective management of this raw material with energy recovery. The performed research indicates such a possibility, and the obtained ash is used as a soil improver. The conducted research showed that the biomass of leaves of five tree species used in the experiment can be a source of raw materials for production of qualitative biofuels. The obtained pellets were characterized by properties comparable to those of classical wood pellets. The lower heating value of the obtained pellets ranged from 14.5 to 15.5 MJ∙kg −1 . Physical properties of the obtained pellets described by bulk density (BD 600–660 kg∙m −3 ), mechanical durability (DU 90–96%), moisture (M ar 10–12.5%) indicate that these products can be used in existing combustion equipment. Preliminary analysis of the obtained ashes (determination of ash melting point, bulk density) indicates that they should not cause difficulties in ash removal systems from the combustion chamber.

Keywords: tree leaves; pellets; bulk density; mechanical durability; self-ignition temperature; ash melting; compaction degree; biodegradable waste (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: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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