Quality of biomass from old wood waste deposits in Southern Brazil

Abstract

The existence of old wood waste deposits not used and disposed in the open-air result in environmental damages, as well as in the loss of a renewable energy source. The purpose of this study was to map old wood waste warehouses in the municipality of Lages, State of Santa Catarina (SC), and characterize the material by investigating its applicability to energy. A total of 18 depth 1 and depth 2 samples in three diagnosed deposits (A, B, and C) for analyses of moisture content, ash content, fixed carbon, volatile content, and calorific value. The results were compared in a database of 633 forest biomass analyses and environmental liabilities used by a cogenerating power plant. All the deposits presented statistical difference between depth 1 and depth 2 for the moisture content in the environmental conditions, being the depth 2 samples the highest. Higher calorific values were noted in depth 1 samples of B and C deposits. The principal component analysis for the deposits proved that the calorific value and the fixed carbon content become higher when the moisture content is reduced. The comparison with the cogeneration plant database highlighted statistical similarities with the material already used as fuel, especially between deposit B with the other environmental liabilities. Deposit A showed characteristics of advanced change, with its use for energy purposes not being indicated. Reduction of moisture content could enhance the calorific value of materials to generate energy, especially for deposit C.