Characterization and ranking of subtropical trees in a rural plantation forest of Uttar Pradesh, India, as fuel wood using fuel wood value index (FVI)

Mohd Baqir, Richa Kothari and Rana Pratap Singh ()
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Mohd Baqir: Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar (Central) University
Richa Kothari: Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar (Central) University
Rana Pratap Singh: Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar (Central) University

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2019, vol. 21, issue 2, No 12, 763-776

Abstract: Abstract The present study investigate fuel wood characteristics on the basis of fuel wood value index (FVI), a proximate and ultimate analysis of 12 subtropical tree species of rural areas of Uttar Pradesh in northern India, to sort out the tree species commonly used by the rural communities and examine their energy properties. The FVI was determined on the basis of calorific value (CV), bulk density (BD), and ash content (AC). The highest CV (22.56 MJ/kg) and BD (0.80 g/cm3) were found in Prosopis juliflora, and the lowest CV (17.32 MJ/kg) and BD (0.32 g/cm3) were found in Streblus asper. The AC was found maximum in Pithecellobium dulce (2.81%) and minimum in S. asper (0.83%). Moisture content was ranged between 38.70 and 58.67%. Investigation of elemental composition in fuel wood revealed that carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen (CHN), and sulfur value ranged from 40 to 46% C, 4.80 to 6.80% H, 0.03 to 1.40% N, and sulfur was defected only in some species and its maximum value (0.012) was found in species of Tectona grandis, T. arjuna, and Ficus benghalensis. This study revealed that only the single basic parameter is not sufficient for identifying the suitable tree species for fuel wood. On the basis of FVI and other fuel wood properties species, P. juliflora, T. grandis, F. benghalensis, Alstonia scholaris, and Holopetelea integrifolia are the most preferred fuel wood species among the 12 trees studied. To enable choice of plant species for future energy plantation program may help the local people to take maximum benefit to be used as bioenergy if electricity and alternative energy sources are not available in such remote areas.

Keywords: Calorific value; Fuel wood; Fuel wood value index; Tree species (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-017-0057-z

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