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Abstract
The use of biomass has increased significantly in recent years. In this context, the use of not valued high-potential biomass (NVHPB) is emerging as a suitable alternative. This is the case of pruning vine, pruning kiwi, scrub (heather, gorse, broom) and forest pruning. The objective of this research was to study the potential of six selected agroforestry biomasses as biofuels in thermochemical processes. For that purpose, biomass was collected by specific machinery. Proximate and ultimate analyses were carried out as well as the inorganic compounds’ determination. Then, natural and forced drying were conducted. Low heating values (LHV) between 17 and 20 MJ/kg (dry basis) were achieved in all analyzed cases. Granulometric reduction, biomass classification and densification took place. Finally, energy recovery tests through microcogeneration were carried out. Values close to 97% in cogeneration efficiency were reached (9% net electric yield and 88% thermal yield), offering an alternative to obtain clean energy.
Highlights
In recent years, the increase in the price of fossil fuels and the environmental impact associated with them have promoted the research of new energy resources
Scrub is presented as an example but the balance would be similar with all the biofuels studied: Table 1
The values obtained suggest that it will be necessary to work both in the pretreatment processes and in the incorporation of chemical additives in order to reduce ash content values and the associated problems in valorization processes, something confirmed by other authors that previously worked with these type of biofuels [29,30]
Summary
The increase in the price of fossil fuels and the environmental impact associated with them have promoted the research of new energy resources. This is the reason why the use of renewable energies has acquired more importance, contributing approximately to 33% of the total energy demand in Spain [1,2] and to 42% of the demand in Portugal in 2017 [3]. Its lower environmental impact and its contribution to improving competitiveness, employment and regional development show that it plays an important role against climate change [5]. The contribution of biomass to the energy mix increased in Spain to values slightly lower than 2% [1,2,10] and to 5.1% in Portugal [3]
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