Title:
Biomass Quality for Combustion: Effects on Poplar SRC of Soil and Water Supply after First Cutting Cycle
Author(s):
Dragoni, F., Ragaglini, G., Nassi o di Nasso, N., Taccini, F., Bonari, E.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
An important goal for biomass production is achieving a high quality grade related to conversion technology, as well as a high and stable output per hectare. Direct combustion is a widespread biomass conversion technique, and poplar SRC is recognized as a high yield energy crop giving valuable biomass fuels. However, combustion is negatively affected by biomass minerals; a high ash content decreases heating value and process efficiency. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of some agronomic factors and their interaction on biomass quality of poplar SRC, considering higher heating value (HHV), proximate analysis parameters - i.e. ash (A), volatile matter (VM) and fixed carbon (FC) contents – and nitrogen content (N). Results allow to appreciate distinguished effects of soil properties and water supply on biomass quality of different plant parts. A lower average ash content was observed in poplars grown in LS (2,2%) compared with SCL (3,1%). In both soils, branches in I0 were poorer in ash than in I100 (3,4% vs 4,4%), while ash content in stems decreased with water availability (2,7% vs 1,9%). Statistically significant effects of soil properties on HHV, fixed carbon and N content were also shown.
Keywords:
irrigation, poplar, quality, short rotation forestry (SRF), thermochemical conversion, ashes
Topic:
Biomass Resources
Subtopic:
Short rotation forestry and short rotation coppice
Event:
20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1CV.3.13
Pages:
427 - 431
ISBN:
978-88-89407-54-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/20thEUBCE2012-1CV.3.13
Price:
FREE
