Abstract
The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of age and diameter class on the physical, thermal and chemical characteristics of a clone of Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus urophylla. The material originated from a reforestation site owned by GERDAU S.A. and included trees at age 34, 48, 61, 74 and 86 months. Two trees were selected per age in each diameter class, observing the proportion of each established plot. Analyses of physical characteristics included wood basic density, dry matter weight and carbon stock, and of chemical characteristics included holocellulose, total extractives content, total lignin and ash content, in addition to elemental and thermal analysis of the wood. Results led to the conclusion that most wood properties were influenced by age and diameter class. The species was found to have great potential for production of biomass and generation of heat energy, potentially convertible into mechanical energy and electricity.
Highlights
Knowledge of the physical, thermal and chemical properties of wood is critical to characterize and indicate its correct use, since the proportion of each of these properties can contribute significantly or insignificantly, depending on usage, toward process efficiency and yield.When using wood for energy generation purposes, characteristics such as basic density, dry matter weight, higher calorific value and chemical composition exert great influence on the productive and energetic potential of the material and can help select the best clones to produce wood intended for energy generation.Forest biomass is a major renewable source of energy and contributes beneficially toward the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, it should comprise a sustainable basis to enable forest productivity and to ensure continuous biomass production
The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of age and diameter class on the physical, thermal and chemical characteristics of wood from clones of Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus urophylla
An increase was noted in the total extractives content, as opposed to a reduction in the ash and nitrogen contents
Summary
Thermal and chemical properties of wood is critical to characterize and indicate its correct use, since the proportion of each of these properties can contribute significantly or insignificantly, depending on usage, toward process efficiency and yield.When using wood for energy generation purposes, characteristics such as basic density, dry matter weight, higher calorific value and chemical composition exert great influence on the productive and energetic potential of the material and can help select the best clones to produce wood intended for energy generation.Forest biomass is a major renewable source of energy and contributes beneficially toward the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, it should comprise a sustainable basis to enable forest productivity and to ensure continuous biomass production. Thermal and chemical properties of wood is critical to characterize and indicate its correct use, since the proportion of each of these properties can contribute significantly or insignificantly, depending on usage, toward process efficiency and yield. Studies are required to investigate the effect of age and diameter class on wood properties if one is to attain increased productivity and yield as well as better understanding of the influence of these elements on the quality of the final product (ANDRADE, 2006; SOARES; OLIVEIRA, 2002). The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of age and diameter class on the physical, thermal and chemical characteristics of wood from clones of Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus urophylla
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