Abstract
Vineyards waste has a great importance as biomass, a renewable source of energy. In this paper eight vine shoot varieties were used for the production of pellets by densification of feedstock materials with four ranges of moisture contents (6–8%, 8–10%, 10–12% and 12–15%). A moisture content of 10% gave durability higher than 97.5% and a calorific value greater than 17 MJ kg−1 and the small durability was obtained for 6–8% moisture. The study shows the significant influence of water during densification. The physicochemical and energetic properties of pellets were evaluated in accordance with ISO 17225-6 (2014). The obtained pellets were also structurally characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). SEM analysis showed the formation of carbon microsphere after pelletization, due to the increase of bulk density and durability of pellets. Also, XRD analysis revealed the crystallinity of cellulose, while TGA analysis showed a total decomposition of pellets. The obtained pellets were burned in a domestic boiler and the flue gases were measured. The preliminary results showed that the vineyard residues had higher emissions, but below the admitted limits, with the exception of carbon monoxide content. The obtained results suggested that the biomass wastes can be used for the production of pellets, aiming to enhance the research for the manufacturing of these sustainable biofuels with some remarks regarding risk of corrosion and slag formation during prolonged use.
Highlights
Beside coal and oil, biomass represents a significant primary energy source
This study aimed to investigate the production of pellets from vineyard varieties, under moisture moisture control, without any additives, followed by their physico-chemical and structural control, without any additives, followed by their physico-chemical and structural characterization and characterization and the evaluation of gaseous emissions after combustion in a domestic boiler
The present section presents results and discussion regarding vine shoot waste characterization and its energetic potential, analysis of pellets obtained from vineyard waste, chemical and structural characterization of pellets, and analysis of gaseous emissions from the combustion of pellets
Summary
Biomass represents a significant primary energy source. The main sources of biomass are energy crops, agricultural waste, forestry, and organic waste. Biomass has been used in energy production, cogeneration plants for heat and power production [1]. The simultaneous generation of heat and energy represents a great potential for significant improvement in energy efficiency, explaining the interest of converting biomass into thermal and electric energy [2]. The use of wood for pellets increased in the recent period, the European countries being the biggest consumers, Agriculture 2020, 10, 501; doi:10.3390/agriculture10110501 www.mdpi.com/journal/agriculture. The technologies for wood pellets are efficient if the feedstock chemical characteristics are appropriate, such as high lignin and low ash contents [3]
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