Characterization of Pinus spp needles and evaluation of their potential use for energy

Graciela Inés Bolzon De Muñiz,Fabrício Hansel,Washington Luis Esteves De Magalhães,Elaine Cristina Lengowski,Silvana Nisgoski,Valcineide Tanobe De Oliveira

doi:10.1590/01047760.201420021358

Graciela Inés Bolzon De Muñiz, Fabrício Hansel + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/01047760.201420021358

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Journal: CERNE	Publication Date: Jun 1, 2014
Citations: 14	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Federal University of Paraná

Abstract

The demand for new energy sources is growing and awakening interest in the use of forest residues. Charcoal was prepared at carbonization temperatures of 500 ºC, 600 °C and 700 °C in order to evaluate the potential use of Pinus sp needles for energy. The anatomical and chemical characteristics of the needles and the charcoal produced were also evaluated. The needles were found to have ash content of 2.32% and gross calorific value of 20.30 MJ/kg. The calorific value increased by 45%, reaching 29.64 MJ/kg, after carbonization carried out at 600 ºC. This value is higher than that for charcoal made from eucalyptus (19.25 MJ/kg) and even coconut husks (23.55 MJ/kg), showing the high energy potential of these needles.

Highlights

The development of mankind is closely associated with the increase in energy consumption and the rational and controlled use of different energy sources
The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential use of pine needles as an energy source, through anatomical and chemical characterization of the material, to provide a basis for future applications
Evaluation of histological sections of the needles enabled identifying the species Pinus taeda (Figure 1A, C), with triangular-shaped needles having an average of two resin channels, and Pinus elliottii (Figure 1B, D), with oval shaped needles having an average of four resin channels

Summary

Introduction

The development of mankind is closely associated with the increase in energy consumption and the rational and controlled use of different energy sources. The oil crisis in the 1970s led to new concepts of economic, environmental and social sustainability, encouraging the generation and consumption of energy from renewable and less polluting sources (SOARES et al, 2006). In Brazil, the generation and production of agroforestry biomass energy is one of the main alternatives to replace oil and its derivatives, designed to meet the demands of the urban residential, rural and industrial sectors, especially steelmaking. In assessing the availability of biomass for energy purposes in a region, it is important to consider the ecological, economic, social, political and technological constraints, all of which are associated with environmental preservation and life quality. Some present problems of high cost and low efficiency in energy production (CORTEZ et al, 2008)

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