Abstract
ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine the effect of planting age and spacing on energy properties of different compartments of the biomass of Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden, disseminated in different spacings: 2.0 x 1.0 m, 2.0 x 1.5 m, 3.0 x 1.0 m e 3.0 x 1.5 m, in the 1st, 3rd and 5th year after the planting. The present study was carried out as an experiment installed in an experimental design of randomized complete blocks in three replications. Variables determined were Biomass (BIO), Gross Calorific Value (GCV), Basic Density (BD), Energy Productivity (EP), Energy Density (ED), Fixed Carbon Content (FCC), Volatile Material Content (VMC), and Ash Content (AC). Ages have an effect on all studied variables, and in the 5th year after planting, the largest BIO, EP, BD, ED and FCC values are checked. The planting spacings induce different productions of BIO and EP, with a trend towards lower values with increasing planting spacing in all assessed periods. The compartments of trees influence BIO, GCV, FCC, VMC and AC variables. Regarding to energy, the higher the age and lower the planting spacing, the better the energy properties of biomass.
Highlights
The development of mankind is closely associated with an increase in energy consumption and the rational use of various sources of energy
With the growing demand for renewable energy sources, studies regarding the potential of generation originating from forest biomass have been conducted in Brazil and in the world, reporting the potential of biomass for a clean energy production, such as those developed by Lemenih and Bekele (2004); Lima et al (2011); Vidaurre et al (2012); Protásio et al (2013); Caron et al (2015); Eloy et al (2015)
Analysis of variance revealed differences among the three studied periods and among the four compartments of the trees, for all analyzed variables. This characteristic was observed among the four planting spacings for variables BIO and Energy Productivity (EP)
Summary
The development of mankind is closely associated with an increase in energy consumption and the rational use of various sources of energy. With the growing demand for renewable energy sources, studies regarding the potential of generation originating from forest biomass have been conducted in Brazil and in the world, reporting the potential of biomass for a clean energy production, such as those developed by Lemenih and Bekele (2004); Lima et al (2011); Vidaurre et al (2012); Protásio et al (2013); Caron et al (2015); Eloy et al (2015). In 1970 this percentage was reduced to 45%, in 2013 to 8.3% (EPE, 2014) Despite this decrease in participation of wood as an energy source, in quantitative terms, the consumption has not changed significantly, evidencing that there is a captive market for the use of forest biomass as an energy source
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
