Biomass Energy Production Research Articles

Quantifying the effects of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) on deep organic C stocks using natural abundance 14C in three marginal soils

AbstractPerennial bioenergy crops have been shown to increase soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, potentially offsetting anthropogenic C emissions. The effects of perennial bioenergy crops on SOC are typically assessed at shallow depths (<30 cm), but the deep root systems of these crops may also have substantial effects on SOC stocks at greater depths. We hypothesized that deep (>30 cm) SOC stocks would be greater under bioenergy crops relative to stocks under shallow‐rooted conventional crop cover. To test this, we sampled soils to between 1‐ and 3‐m depth at three sites in Oklahoma with 10‐ to 20‐year‐old switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) stands, and collected paired samples from nearby fields cultivated with shallow rooted annual crops. We measured root biomass, total organic C, 14C, 13C, and other soil properties in three replicate soil cores in each field and used a mixing model to estimate the proportion of recently fixed C under switchgrass based on 14C. The subsoil C stock under switchgrass (defined over 500–1500 kg/m2 equivalent soil mass, approximately 30–100 cm depth) exceeded the subsoil stock in neighboring fields by 1.5 kg C/m2 at a sandy loam site, 0.6 kg C/m2 at a site with loam soils, and showed no significant difference at a third site with clay soils. Using the mixing model, we estimated that additional SOC introduced after switchgrass cultivation comprised 31% of the subsoil C stock at the sandy loam site, 22% at the loam site, and 0% at the clay site. These results suggest that switchgrass can contribute significantly to subsoil organic C—but also indicated that this effect varies across sites. Our analysis shows that agricultural strategies that emphasize deep‐rooted grass cultivars can increase soil C relative to conventional crops while expanding energy biomass production on marginal lands.

A sustainable agricultural landscape model for tropical drylands

Finding a balance between ecosystem conservation and the production of goods and services that societies need to prosper is fundamental to the long-term sustainable development of any region, but this balance varies within the region’s landscapes. We tested the hypothesis that landscapes with intermediate structure complexity (i.e., those that combine natural vegetation and human-transformed ecosystems) are the most efficient to produce food, water and energy for local populations in Caatinga, South America’s largest dryland. We used empirical data and computer simulations to simultaneously assess the trade-offs between the production of these three ecosystem services and the landscape structure. The results supported the hypothesis. Moreover, we found that increasing the percentage of natural lands in the landscape increased the production of biomass energy, water and food. However, water production stabilized when natural lands occupied more than 80 % of the landscape, and food production decreased when natural lands occupied more than 50 % of the landscape. Increasing the percentage of agricultural land in the landscape increased the production of all three ecosystem services, but biomass energy production and water production declined when agricultural lands reached 20 % and 35 % of the landscape, respectively. Finally, the production of all three ecosystem services declined when the percentage of degraded lands (i.e., lands that lost most of their natural productivity due to human-caused processes) in the landscape increased, but food production declined faster than the production of energy and water. To achieve groundwater, food, and long-term energy security, agricultural landscapes in tropical drylands require more conservation (including the restoration of degraded areas), more diversification of agriculture practices, and a better integration of individual initiatives at a larger spatial scale.

Biomass energy production and its impacts on the ecological footprint: An investigation of the G7 countries

In recent years, the impacts of biomass energy consumption on the environment have attracted the attention of policymakers and scholars. Although empirical studies have been conducted on this topic, the relationship between biomass energy production and the ecological footprint has been overlooked in the literature. This study seeks to fill this gap by investigating the effects of biomass energy production on the ecological footprint of the G7 countries for the period 1980–2016. For this purpose, we use a set of methods, that help overcome the problem of cross-sectional dependence in panel data analysis. The findings from dynamic seemingly unrelated regression (DSUR) estimation show that biomass energy production increases the ecological footprint of the G7 countries. Meanwhile, a Dumitrescu-Hurlin causality test provides evidence that unidirectional causality runs from biomass energy production to the ecological footprint. Based on these empirical results, several policy recommendations are proposed for the G7 countries.

Can clean biomass energy use lower CO2 emissions in African economies? Empirical evidence from dynamic long-run panel framework.

This paper seeks to answer an empirical question of whether clean biomass energy consumption lowers CO2 emissions while controlling for technical innovation in eight selected countries from Africa for the 1980-2015 period. The countries which are chosen based on availability of data on biomass energy and technological innovation include Egypt, Algeria, South Africa, Mauritius, Kenya, Morocco, Tunisia, and Zambia. Applying pooled mean group, mean group, and dynamic fixed effect panel estimators, the results indicate that clean biomass energy use decreases CO2 emission in the long run. But the effect of biomass energy consumption on CO2 emission is insignificant in the short run. The findings imply that CO2 emission can be reduced by increasing clean biomass energy in the energy mix of these countries. Similarly, environmental quality and economic growth can be achieved simultaneously by increasing the share of biomass energy in large-scale production process. Furthermore, the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC), which hypothesizes an inverted U-shaped relationship between CO2 emission and economic growth, was validated in the long run. This suggests that the EKC pattern is only observed in the long run. Thus, as part of recommendation from this study, policy makers in these countries should formulate more policies that will enhance clean biomass energy production and its usage to substitute significant percentage of fossil fuel use in production process.

Carbon stocks, partitioning, and wood composition in short-rotation forestry system under reduced planting spacing

The use of reduced planting spacings is an important strategy to increase the carbon storage in the above-belowground biomass and should be recommended for future exploitation of forest energy plantations when the purpose intended is the production of biomass for energy. Recent concerns about global warming have resulted in more concerted studies on quantifying carbon storage in forest systems. Forest energy plantations play an essential role in the carbon storage. We proposed to evaluate the carbon storage and partitioning in short-rotation forest plantations and to characterize the elemental composition and energetic properties of the forest species Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden, Mimosa scabrella Benth, and Ateleia glazioviana Baill, grown under four planting spacings in Southern Brazil. A field study was conducted in order to evaluate forest carbon stock and wood composition using samples collected by direct method. The four spacings evaluated were 2.0 × 1.0, 2.0 × 1.5, 3.0 × 1.0, and 3.0 × 1.5 m. The Eucalyptus grandis stored 327.1 Mg C ha−1 at 2.0 × 1.5-m spacing. When compared with the 3.0 × 1.5-m spacing, we observed a reduction of 29% in carbon stored. All forest species showed higher carbon storage in the following partitioning pattern: trunk>roots>branches>leaves>litter. Forest species energetic properties and elemental composition were not affected by planting spacing. On the other hand, variations according the tree portions were observed. For the carbon stocks in the soil, we observed an average accumulated carbon stock for the forest species studied of 77.4 Mg C ha−1 (0–40 cm). Forest managers can accelerate growth and increase the forest carbon storage and biomass yield by using reduced planting spacing that are smaller than the current pattern used by the majority of the forest producers, which is 3.0 × 1.5 m. For Eucalyptus grandis and Mimosa scabrella, the planting spacings recommended to produce biomass and improve carbon stocks were 2.0 × 1.5 and 2.0 × 1.0 m, respectively.

Scenario Analysis of Renewable Energy–Biodiversity Nexuses Using a Forest Landscape Model

The introduction of renewable energy (RE) in harmony with nature is essential for building a sustainable society. However, the poorly designed introduction of RE can cause conflicts between energy production and biodiversity conservation. This study conducted a scenario analysis to evaluate potential conflicts in the nexuses between energy and biodiversity for a case study area, the Bekambeushi River watershed located in northeastern Japan. The increasing rate of pastureland abandonment resulting from a decreasing farmer population is a source of great uncertainty in this area. Two alternative sources of RE were selected to utilize these abandoned pasturelands, each taking a contrasting approach to meet targets stipulated by regional energy plans, thereby implying different ecological consequences at the landscape level. Thirty-one RE introduction cases were simulated, comprising a range of pastureland abandonment expansion speeds and ratios of solar photovoltaic (PV) plant installation to biomass energy use. These were superimposed using two IPCC representative concentration pathway (RCP) scenarios, 2.6 and 8.5, resulting in 62 cases that were summarized as three scenarios based on the RE supply–demand balance and the ecological impacts. The LANDIS-II model was used to simulate these scenarios from 2016 to 2100. The results indicate that both the rate of pastureland abandonment and the ratio of the two RE sources had a large impact on changes in tree species diversity and the habitat suitability of raptorial birds. Abandoned pastureland converted to tree biomass energy production shifted to pioneer species-dominated forest. The plant species composition of transitional forests varied between the climate scenarios. The higher temperature of the RCP 8.5 scenario toward 2100 prevented the establishment of Betula platyphylla and altered tree species diversity and the habitat suitability of Ketupa blakistoni blakistoni. Biomass energy utilization produced less energy than the demand but increased the three ecological indicators. Solar PV systems provided more energy than the regional demand, but the three ecological indicators decreased. However, an appropriate mixture of the two RE sources satisfied the regional energy demand and maintained ecological conditions. Our results suggest that land–energy planning should consider energy–biodiversity nexuses to a strike balance between decarbonization and biodiversity conservation.

Farmers’ Attitudes Towards the Use of Biomass as Renewable Energy—A Case Study from Southeastern Europe

Among the renewable energy sources, increasing the use of biomass (agricultural by-products) could be important from both an environmental and a climate protection perspective, but in many cases this is not a part of the current practice. Especially in developing countries, a large amount of agricultural waste suitable for energy use remains unused, remaining on the arable land or being burned in the field. Complicating matters is the fact that some countries have significant fossil energy reserves. This is also the case in Kosovo, which has the largest reserves of coal reserves (lignite) in southeastern Europe. An important question is how polluting and non-climate-friendly fossil fuels are to be replaced when they are available cheaply and in large quantities. The function of the political and economic models used in Europe has local specificity. It is not possible to copy the good solutions introduced by each country because of differences in the economic systems and farmers. Previous research has paid little attention to the producer conditions for available waste biomass sales. Studies have not examined the sales attitudes of farmers, or under what conditions they are willing to sell a larger proportion of the straw produced—of course, in such a way that they also meet the needs of animal husbandry, nutrients, and carbon supply. Using binary logistics regression and descriptive statistics not yet used in previous research, we analyzed the factors that influence farmers’ willingness to sell, sales barriers, and incentives. According to the respondents, the biggest barriers to selling straw are the lack of a market (74.1%) and baling machines (50.9%), while the main incentives may be a good price (75%) and a guaranteed contract (67.8%). The farmers surveyed believe that, in a safe market, with a multiyear contractual agreement, they would sell more than half of their straw for biomass energy production. The use of straw in animal husbandry is declining due to the introduction of new technological solutions, so the use of straw for energy purposes is an increasingly topical issue in the rapidly developing southeastern European countries as well. Based on our research results, it can be stated that the majority of farmers are willing to sell more than 50% of the amount of straw produced for energy purposes if the business model and state regulations are appropriate.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Japan’s Climate Change Mitigation and Clean Technology Development Policies

The energy sector has been the highest contributor of green-house gases (GHG) emission in Japan. To reduce GHG emissions, the development and applications of cleaner technologies sup-ported by effective policies are required. In this study, the effec-tiveness of Japanese government policies related to climate change mitigation especially in the technology development sec-tor was analyzed. To do so, two methodologies; 1) results-based approach (RBA) and 2) case-based approach (CBA) will be com-bined to test the effectiveness of government policies. This com-bination was conducted to fill the missing data required to con-duct the two methodologies. The merging of the two methodolo-gies produced indexes where the proximity of the performance of each policy measured to it would determine its effectiveness. In order to verify the results, the number of projects related to the policy took place over the years was also observed. The results show that the most effective policies were related to the follow-ing technologies: 1) Energy management, 2) Biomass energy pro-duction, and 3) Electric power storage.

The right crops in the right place for the food-energy nexus: Potential analysis on rice and wheat in Hokkaido using crop growth models

Understanding the potential of bioenergy is crucial to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting renewable energy with higher stability than solar and wind power for the grid. Current bioenergy potential research relies on statistical agricultural data. This study uses a crop growth model (CGM) and existing crop phenological database to estimate rice and wheat production in Hokkaido under two scenarios, namely energy-and food-oriented scenarios, considering two different targets energy and/or food production, for each founds the optimal sowing season and compare results with the current utilized crop. Results also present a trade-off of food and energy when utilizing different crop varieties. A clear difference in energy potential is observed when prioritizing either food or energy production. The optimal season and crop variety differs between the two scenarios, providing important insights for policymakers and crop rotation analysts. This study clarifies that biomass energy production does not conflict with agriculture though it presents the food-energy trade-off per hectare of land depending on the crop or crop variety. Furthermore, it illustrates the importance of CGMs and environmental measurements as tools for determining food and biomass energy potential accelerating the achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Liquid–(Liquid)–Vapor Equilibrium of Solvents (P-Xylene, Methyl Hexadecanoate, and Methyl Oleate), Binary Systems (Water + Solvents), and Ternary Systems (Water + Methyl Hexadecanoate + Model Molecule of Tar) Issued from the Biomass Gasification Process

As the most promising biomass utilization method, biomass gasification is gaining attention as a route for biomass energy production, but the syngas generated from the process contains unacceptable...

A comprehensive evaluation and optimal utilization structure of crop straw-based energy production in eastern China

Crop straw is a major agricultural residue and has been recently promoted as a main source for renewable biomass energy production in China. This study used the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (Fuzzy AHP) model considering four major indicators to systematically evaluate the performance of four major crop straw energy utilization methods in the eastern Chinese province of Jiangsu. The utilization methods include straw power generation, straw gasification, straw liquefaction, and straw densification into briquette fuel. The results showed that environmental friendliness was the most important indicator that should be considered for straw bioenergy production in the province and that straw densification into briquette fuel was the most suitable straw energy utilization method. Under the policy goal proposed by the Chinese central government to use 20% of all crop straw waste for straw bioenergy production by 2030, the estimated results suggested that the optimal allocation towards straw energy production structure is 40.1% for straw densification into briquette fuel production, 35.3% for straw power generation, 19.6% for straw gasification, and 5% for straw liquefaction. The finding that straw densification into briquette fuel was judged to be the most favorable option could guide policy makers and investors to develop suitable straw energy technologies in Eastern China.

Ecosystem Service Benefits and Trade-Offs—Selecting Tree Species in Denmark for Bioenergy Production

Research highlights: The study enabled us to quantitatively assess ecosystem benefits and trade-offs, to characterize species as generalists or specialists, and findings suggest that producing biomass for energy is more likely to serve multiple objectives if it is implemented in an integrated production system. Background and Objectives: Biomass is one of the main and largest sources of renewable energy. In Denmark, the production of biomass for energy is mainly based on timber harvest residues from pre-commercial thinning of forest stands. However, there is an increasing demand for bioenergy that require biomass to be grown specifically for energy purposes even though the sustainability and climate change mitigation potential of bioenergy plantations have recently been questioned in terms of food production, land use, land use change and terrestrial carbon cycles. The overall objective of the research is to better understand the opportunities and trade-offs between different woody and non-woody energy crops. Material and Methods: This study assessed the ecosystem services of seven woody species and one perennial along a management intensity continuum with a main focus on bioenergy production. Results: Results of the analysis showed that there are complex interrelations between ecosystem services and significant differences between species in providing those services. Conclusions: Species with a highest energy benefit among assessed species were poplar and grand fir, while beech and oak proved the best in providing biodiversity benefits.

Proximate analysis of fruits and vegetables wastes from Nairobi County, Kenya

Proximate analysis of twenty fruits and vegetable waste from Nairobi County was evaluated. They were obtained from Kangemi and Wakulima markets. Standard procedures were used for the analysis of crude fat, protein, fiber, carbohydrates, moisture, ash, nitrogen-free extract and energy. The results obtained revealed that moisture content was in the range of 82.8 to 95.86% apart from sweet potato and banana which was 62.05 and 74.30% respectively. Protein range was between 0.57 to 3.49% with high-fat content being recorded in avocado at 9.03%. The ash content was highest in comfrey at 3.46% and lowest in mango at 0.44%. The carbohydrate level obtained by the difference method was lowest in courgette at 1.99% with crude fiber ranging from 0.69 to 2.73%. The total calculated energy ranged from 1.94 to 39.98 Kcal/100g. The macro-nutrient concentrations were 3.59 and 1.53% for potassium and calcium respectively. Lead, iron and zinc were detected at 15.1±3.6, 3742±235 and 176±11 ppm respectively. There is the presence of proximate properties in the edible portion of wasted fruits and vegetable and therefore, this study recommends proper fruits and vegetable handling during harvest, transportation, storage and marketing. Besides, the unavoidable waste should be used as biomass in energy production to deal with landfilling issues in the market places.

Life cycle assessment of maize cultivation and biomass utilization in northern Thailand

Maize, a major food source for the world, is a high-yield commodity crop, and one of five major crops in Thailand. Occupying about 33% of the Thai upland farmlands, maize farming has been growing tremendously especially in northern Thailand. However, after harvesting, open burning is widely used in order to get rid of maize cobs and husks in land preparation for the next period. The current maize farming practices have caused several problems to local communities as well as urban dwellers. The objectives of this research were: (i) to analyze the life cycle inventory of maize cultivation, maize cob pellet production and heavy fuel oil production in northern Thailand using IDEA v2.0 and ecoinvent v3.0 databases; (ii) to evaluate environmental impacts of maize cultivation, maize cob pellet production and heavy fuel oil production using A Global Scale Environmental Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LIME-3) with the results of weighting (Country-specific) based on monetary valuation of end-points. This study evaluated the life cycle environmental impacts of maize cultivation and continuing through biomass energy production from maize cob by comparing with heat production from heavy fuel oil in Mae Chaem and Chiang Dao districts in the north of Thailand by using two different databases, IDEA v2.0 and ecoinvent v3.0 with an endpoint-based life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) method (LIME-3). The system boundary of this study includes land preparation, planting, weeding, farming, harvesting, maize cob pellet production and heat production from maize cob pellet and heavy fuel oil. The units of analysis in this study are 1 kg of maize grain, 3.76E-03 MJ of biomass energy production from maize cob and 3.76E-03 MJ of heat production from heavy fuel oil, respectively. The data were obtained from field survey supplemented with the Thai National Life Cycle Inventory Database and other scientific publications. The results included the environmental impacts of maize cultivation and continuing through biomass energy production from maize cob by comparing with heat production from heavy fuel oil in Mae Chaem and Chiang Dao districts by using two different databases with LCIA method on the endpoint approaches (LIME-3). The total damage cost based on IDEA v2.0 life cycle inventory (LCI) database in Mae Chaem and Chiang Dao districts was about 4.64E-01 USD and 4.89E-01 USD, respectively. As regards ecoinvent v3.0 database, the total damage cost in Mae Chaem and Chiang Dao districts was about 5.37E-01USD and 5.99E-01 USD, respectively. It can be seen that the total damage cost using different inventory databases in Chiang Dao are slightly higher than Mae Chaem due to different input materials. The result of total cost using inventory data from ecoinvent v3.0 is slightly higher than IDEA v2.0 due to different inventory processes in each database. However, the results in this study demonstrated that the databases show similar trends in the assessment results. On the other hand, certain numerical differences between the databases at some points were found to be more substantial. The results of present study are particularly relevant to policy choices for improving or using the good practices for maize cultivation, which would reduce the environmental performance of maize production systems in the area. To address the air pollution issue from biomass open burning of agricultural residues in the study area, the government agencies in Thailand should be responsible for promoting better biomass management for the future.

Stochastic-dynamic modelling of farm-level investments under uncertainty

In the light of uncertainties, high initial costs, and temporal managerial flexibility, the real options approach has gained interest as a valuation tool for different types of natural resources management problems. Yet, neither real options valuation method excels under consideration of variability of resource endowments, returns-to-scale and predefined sizes of options. We fill the methodological gap by developing a method based on Monte Carlo simulation, scenario tree reduction, and stochastic programming that is advantageous for valuing real options where timing, scale and interactions among constraints and alternatives matter. The method advances in straightforward conversion of deterministic programming applications based on the classical net present value approach into a real options framework, and in introducing complexity into existing real options models. We illustrate the method with a case study featuring investment options regarding the adoption, coppicing, and conversion of perennial biomass energy production systems.

Biodegradability of quinoa stalks: The potential of quinoa stalks as a forage source or as biomass for energy production

This study was carried out to determine the potential of quinoa stalks, left as waste in the fields after harvest, to be converted into roughage for animal feed or as biomass for energy production. The quinoa stalks were harvested from cultivated fields in Şanlıurfa, Turkey, and the biochemical and thermochemical potential conversion of the quinoa stalks to forage feed or biomass was then determined.A chemical and basic element analysis of the quinoa stalks was carried out. In terms of animal feeding potential that involved the in vitro digestibility and metabolizable energy value. In terms of biomass potential, the syngas values and other gases: estimated methane (CH4), biodegradability, total biogas production value and higher heating value, were also all determined.According to ADL DM% analysis value (46.49 ± 0.97) and calculated relative feed value (RFV, 71.09) results showed that quinoa stalks have a very poor potential as forage and cannot be regarded as roughage. However, with an energy value of 18.27 MJ/kg was determined that quinoa stalks could be used as an energy producing plant.

Characterization of the woody biomass feedstock potential resulting from California\u2019s drought

Regional tree die-off events generate large quantities of standing dead wood, raising concern over catastrophic wildfire and other hazards. Governmental responses to tree die-off have often focused on incentivizing biomass energy production that utilizes standing dead trees removed for safety concerns. However, the full distribution of potential woody bioenergy feedstock after tree die-off has not been evaluated due to the complexities of surveying and precisely measuring large forested areas. In this paper, we present a novel method for estimating standing dead biomass at a fine spatial resolution that combines aerial survey data with forest structure maps. Using this method, we quantify biomass generated by the unprecedented tree die-off that occurred in California following a 4-year drought and widespread pest outbreaks. The results are used to estimate feasibly recoverable feedstock for energy production. We find that approximately 95.1 million bone-dry tons (BDT) of dead biomass resulted from 2012–2017 mortality, with a lower bound of 26.2 million BDT. In other words, of the aboveground live tree biomass in 2012, ~1.3–4.8% died by 2017. Of the standing dead biomass, 29% meets minimum constraints for potential cost-effective bioenergy feedstock. This proportion drops to as low as 15% in the most affected areas due to terrain slope, wilderness status, and other factors, highlighting the need to complement disposal via biomass energy with other strategies to mitigate the risks of the tree mortality crisis, which is likely to only become more severe over time due to climate change.

Photosynthetic characterization of two Nannochloropsis species and its relevance to outdoor cultivation

Despite the increased interest in exploring the potential of algal biomass production for food stock and renewable energy, very little work has been done in developing reliable screening protocols to enable the identification of species that are best suited to mass cultivation outdoors. Nannochloropsis is an algal genus identified as a potential source of lipids due to its ability to accumulate large quantities of these compounds, especially under nutrient-limiting conditions. The objective of the current work was to use two species of this genus, Nannochloropsis oceanica and N. oculata, as model organisms to develop a protocol that will allow the evaluation of their capacity to yield high biomass productivity under outdoor conditions. Growing the alga under different light intensities and measuring growth rate as well as a range of photosynthetic parameters based on light response curves and variable fluorescence highlighted significant differences between the two species. Our data show that N. oceanica cells have a better capacity to respond to higher light intensities, as reflected by growth measurements, photosynthetic electron transport rates, and oxygen evolution as well as their response to the very high photon flux densities expected in outdoor culture. On the other hand, N. oculata showed a higher tolerance to oxidative stress as reflected in its resistance to the reactive oxygen species generating compounds Rose Bengal (RB) and methyl viologen (MV). Based on the above evidence, we suggest that N. oceanica may perform better than N. oculata when grown under high light conditions typically found outdoors in summer, while N. oculata may perform better than N. oceanica under oxidative stress conditions usually found in outdoor cultures exposed to a combination of high light and low temperature commonly occurring in winter time.

Does wood biomass energy use reduce CO2 emissions in European Union member countries? Evidence from 27 members

This study investigates the effect of wood biomass energy consumption on CO2 emissions in 27 European Union (EU) member countries for the 1990–2017 period. Applying panel dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS), the results revealed that CO2 emissions decline with an increase in wood biomass energy consumption. While fossil fuel, GDP per capita and trade openness are found to be increasing CO2 emissions. The finding implies that CO2 emissions in EU member countries can be effectively reduced by increasing the amount wood biomass energy consumption in production processes. This will eventually contribute to tackling global warming. The estimated results are considered robust as they were validated by panel FMOLS and pooled OLS. The study recommends for EU member countries to increase the share of wood biomass energy in their energy mix to reduce CO2 emissions. Policy makers in these countries should also invest more in wood biomass energy production to increase its supply and accessibility. The authorities of these countries can equally emphasize on efficiency and sustainability of wood biomass energy to achieve energy security and reduce dependency on fossil fuel.

A cleaner biomass energy production by optimization of the operational range of a fabric filter

Biomass combustion is the first renewable energy in the world. Nevertheless, its particles emissions are denounced. Nowadays, one of the most efficient second abatement emissions systems (SAES) for the particles consists of fabric filter. Nevertheless, this high trapping efficiency system is often bypassed due to condensation or burning issues. Small to medium-scale biomass combustion equipment are becoming an attractive non-fossil local and renewable energy means of production. Nevertheless, they remain poorly equipped with SAES because of their variable power output and subsequent condensation issues. This work presents an optimization of the working temperature range for fabric filter in order to produce a cleaner energy. The present study clearly demonstrates that the dew point temperature of the smoke, for any combustion conditions and any fuels, is always higher than 70 °C while the safety temperature of the fabric classically is 110 °C. Experimentations show condensation issues occur only during power change. The simulation of the optimization on the temperature range shows that the Total Suspended Particles emissions can be reduced by 55% (mass fractions) for the same energy production.