Fuel Value Index Research Articles

Can wood quality justify local preferences for firewood in an area of caatinga (dryland) vegetation?

Studies have been undertaken in many parts of the world to evaluate the qualities of fuelwood, but rarely is this information associated with an examination of the preferences of the local populations. As such, the present study sought to address the question of whether local preferences for fuelwoods can be explained by the physical characteristics of the wood itself. To that end, the residents of 102 domiciles in a rural community in NE Brazil were interviewed and a list was compiled of all the plants used and preferred for domestic use. These woods were subsequently analyzed to determine their density, water content, and Fuel Value Index (FVI). Although a total of 67 species were identified by the residents, only 14 were described as being preferred—due to their great number of desirable attributes for cooking. The density, humidity, and FVI of 38 species used and/or preferred were determined. A significant relationship (p<0.05) was noted between plants with the highest FVIs and the most preferred fuelwood plants in the region, indicating that local preference could be explained by the physical properties that were examined.

Ranking of Fuelwood Species by Fuel Value Index

Ten indigenous fuelwood species of northeast India were ranked by pair-wise comparison, a technique used by rural people for selection of fuelwood, and also from their fuel value indexes calculated by using three different formulae. It was found that the ranks of the species obtained from fuel value indexes calculated according to the formulae reported by Goel and Behl (1996) and Abbot et al. (1992) have sufficient resemblance with those obtained by pair-wise comparison.

Annatto Fruit Pericarp: Newer Source As a Potential Fuel

Efficient utilization of pericarp of fruits of Bixa orellanaa major byproduct from the annatto color extraction industrieshas been mentioned here. The lower calorific value (LCV) had been experimentally determined for the postharvest dried pericarp of fruits of B. orellana by ultimate analyses. The experimentally determined LCV is compared with the calculated fuel value index (FVI). The higher LCV of annatto pericarp than the LCV of some plant biomass that are prominently used as a fuel source, viz., tamarind shell, paddy husk, coconut font, paper waste, and groundnut husk, indicates their utility as a potential fuel. Thus, annatto color extraction industries can utilize the major byproductpericarpas a fuel source, and it can also be used as a supplementary source of fuel mainly for third world countries, which can grow this plant primely for the purpose of fuel and with annatto as a secondary benefit in the near future.

The effect of initial tree-planting density on timber and wood-fuel properties of red alder and sycamore

Studies on red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) were carried out to assess their timber and wood-fuel properties when grown at wide spacing as in a silvopastoral system. Initial tree-planting density had significant effects on the modulus of elasticity (MOE) in red alder and compression strength in sycamore. Wood samples taken from red alder in high-density plots of 2500 stems·ha–1 had a significantly higher MOE than those from trees in low-density plots of 400 stems·ha–1 (silvopastoral system). Sycamore wood from the high-density plots had significantly higher compression strength than that from the low-density plots. However, there was no significant effect of planting density on the modulus of rupture in either species. On average, red alder had lower wood density, modulus of rupture, and compression strength than sycamore, but there was no significant difference in MOE between the two species. Planting density did not have any effect on the wood-fuel higher heating value of either red alder or sycamore, nor was there a significant difference in wood-fuel higher heating value between the two species. However, red alder wood had a significantly higher fuel-value index than sycamore, owing to its lower ash content.

Fuel-wood characteristics of some species from natural forests of India

Instantaneous fuel-wood extractions have led to the widespread degradation of the natural forests of north India. It is therefore suggested for beating the gaps in forest areas by massive afforestations of those species, which stand for a relatively good in fuel-wood characteristics. Wood samples of twenty-four tropical tree species were collected and analyzed for various fuel-wood properties such as density, calorific value, moisture, ash, silica and carbon contents. Based on the aggregate quality, i.e., fuel value index, Indigofera cassioides Rottle ex DC., Hesperethusa crenulata Roem., Securinega virosa Pox. Hoffm., Gardenia lucida Roxb., Randia brandisi Linn., and Randia dumetorum Lam. were found relatively good in descending order. These species are recommended for fuel-wood plantation, however, many second order species may be tried if they could perform a relatively fast growth and high biomass yield in short rotations and have better coppicing abilities. These assorted species are suitable for central M.P., eastern U.P. and Doon Valley (Uttaranchal) regions of India.

Fuelwood characteristics of indigenous tree species of north-east India

Fuelwood characteristics viz. moisture content, ash, silica, carbon, nitrogen, volatile matter, density and calorific value of 35 indigenous tree species of the age group of 10–15 years growing in their natural habitat in north-eastern region of India were determined and Fuel Value Index (FVI) of each of them was calculated. From the experimental data and the FVIs, it is found that Acacia nilotica, Acacia auriculiformis, Albizzia lebbeck, Albizzia procera, Pinus kesiya and Elaeognus umbellata possess better fuelwood characteristics and they may be considered for inclusion in energy plantation programme in the region.

Genetic selection and improvement of hard wood tree species for fuelwood production on sodic soil with particular reference to Prosopis juliflora

This study is a part of a research programme on selection and improvement of fast growing tree species suitable for wood fuel production on sodic wastelands (pH 8.6–10.5). Field trials of nine legumes ( Acacia auriculiformis, A. nilotica, Albizia lebbeck, A. procera, Dalbergia sissoo, Leucaena leucocephala, Pongamia pinnata, Prosopis juliflora, Pithecellobium dulce) and three other tree species ( Azadirachta indica, Eucalyptus tereticornis and Terminalia arjuna) were selected for this study. Prosopis juliflora was the most promising species in terms of its biomass productivity ( 68.7 t ha −1 ) and fuel value index (148.8) after 8-yr of growth. Acacia nilotica ranked second. Intra-specific variations were screened at provenance and individual tree level in order to improve fuelwood production potential of P. juliflora through selection and breeding. Successful populations (gene pools) and individuals (genotypes) were cloned and conserved in clonal gardens to produce quality germplasm for plantations on sodic wastelands. Genetic testing, selection and multiplication of selected material are under progress. This will optimise gains in future afforestation programmes on sodic soils.

Characteristics and management potential of some indigenous firewood species in Malawi

Taking a case study from Malawi's Central Region, this paper identifies the locally important firewood species and discusses options for their management. The wood properties (moisture content and density) of 15 commonly used indigenous firewood species were determined and according to the fuel value index employed, the high grade firewoods were Combretum apiculatum, Pericopsis angolensis and C. molle. Supported by socio-economic, inventory and ecological data, the status (stocking and basic density) and coppice management of the preferred firewoods was then discussed. Whilst the high grade species had a low stocking in the woodland, their coppicing response was good, reaching a mean basal diameter of 4.4 cm and mean height of 3.3 m in 4 years. The paper proposes that these species be managed for domestic firewood on a coppice rotation of 5 years upwards and recommends that national policies for fuelwood production develop mechanisms for incorporating the rural woodland users into the management process.

Fuelwood characteristics of selected indigenous tree species from central India

Thirty tree species indigenously growing in their natural habitat in subtropical forest of central India were collected and fuelwood properties viz. moisture, silica, ash, density, carbon, nitrogen, volatile matter, calorific value and fuel value index (FVI) calculated to screen desirable species for potential production of fuelwood in these areas. The present study revealed that Acer oblongum, Betula alonoides, Grevillea robusta, Limonia acidissima, Lyonia ovalifolia, Madhuca indica, Melia azedarch, Morinda tinctoria, Myrica sapida, Prunus cornuta, Pyrus pashia, Quercus langinosa, Rhamnus triqueter and Stereospermum xylocarpum possess excellent fuelwood qualities.

Defining firewood quality: A comparison of quantitative and rapid appraisal techniques to evaluate firewood species from a southern African savanna

The study analyses the firewood characteristics of 16 tree species from the dry semi-deciduous woodlands dominant in south central Africa. The important firewood characteristics used by rural people in Malawi were determined by the pair-wise comparison of preferred indigenous species. This was compared with a fuel value index based on the properties of basic density, moisture and ash content. Nine species were compared over the two techniques and the ordering was broadly similar, with the denser species of lower moisture content being highly ranked in both cases. The main criteria used by villagers to rank firewoods were drying rate, duration of ember production and low moisture content or weight when dry. Drying rates converged after the first month to a daily rate of 0.1–0.2% of dry weight. The procedures used in the study were low technology but accurate enough to establish the important indigenous species to be managed for wood-fuel production. The study recommends that future firewood management planning should recognise the role of indigenous quality criteria in rural people's choice of firewoods.

Fuelwood characteristics of medium tree and shrub species of India

Fuelwood generally used by the local population was identified and 21 medium trees and 13 shrub species were quantitatively analysed for calorific value, density, silica, carbon, ash:biomass ratio, moisture, volatile matter and Fuel Value Index. On the basis of the study it was concluded that Rubus ellipticus, Vitex negundo, Ixora parviflora, Parkinsonia aculeata, Coriaria nepalensis, Mimosa rubicaulis, Schleichera trijuga in the medium trees, and Dodonaea viscosa, Capparis aphylla, Terminalia terestris, Combretum ovalifolium and Antidesma ghaesembilla in the shrubs, had the best fuelwood properties among the species examined.

Fuelwood characteristics of some tropical trees of India

Twenty-two species growing in their natural habitat in Indian forests were collected and fuelwood properties viz. calorific value, ash, density, silica, moisture, carbon, nitrogen and volatile matter were determined and the Fuel Value Index (FVI) calculated to screen desirable species for potential production of fuelwood on marginal lands. The present study revealed that Osmanthus fragrans, Quercus incana, Machilus odoratissma, Lagertroemia indica and Punica granatum have the best fuelwood qualities among the species examined. The other species have calorific value within the acceptable limit except for Zanthoxylum alatum and Grewia tiliaefolia.

Fuelwood characteristics of certain hardwood and softwood tree species of India

The acute shortage of fuelwood in rural India and greater emphasis on the development of the fuelwood needs of the people has necessitated the identification of tree species which can be utilized as fuelwood. Twenty-six perennial species growing in their natural habitat in Central India and 16 indigenous and exotic Pinus species from the Himalayan region at Kalika were collected for screening fuelwood properties; calorific value, density, ash, silica, moisture, nitrogen, volatile matter and Fuel Value Index. The results suggest that Woodfordia fruticosa, Gardenia turgida, Gardenia resinifera, Litsea sebifera, Acacia donaldi, Wrightia tinctoria, Alanagium savifolium, Sterblus asper, Mitragyna parvifolia and Lagerstroemia parviflora have good fuelwood properties among perennial hardwoods and Pinus oocarpa, Pinus patula, Pinus pseudostrobus and Pinus ponderosa are desirable softwood species.