Abstract

RIOS SAUCEDO, Julio César et al. Basic density of wood and heating value of shoots of three dendro-energy crops. Rev. mex. de cienc. forestales [online]. 2018, vol.9, n.47, pp.253-272. ISSN 2007-1132.  https://doi.org/10.29298/rmcf.v9i47.157.

The basic density (BD) and the higher heating value (HHV) are important attributes in the production of biomass for dendro-energy purposes. The aim of this study was to determine the wood basic density and higher heating value in shoots grown in stumps of three dendro-energy crops. The study was carried out in the Biobío region, Chile, in a plantation of Eucalyptus globulus, E. denticulata and Acacia dealbata grown at densities of 5 000, 10 000 and 15 000 trees per hectare. Differences were observed in BD between species and E. denticulata was the species that registered the highest BD in the three planting densities, with values between 0.46 and 0.49 g cm-3. Eucalyptus globulus and A. dealbata showed similar BD, with values between 0.38 and 0.45 g cm-3. The HHV showed differences between species, in each shoot type (adventitious and proventitious). The leaves of the proventitious shoots registered the highest HHV, with values of 5 280 kcal kg-1 (22.1 MJ kg-1) in E. globulus, 5 150 kcal kg-1 (21.5 MJ kg-1) in E. denticulata and 4 927 kcal kg-1 (20.6 MJ kg-1) in A. dealbata. Stems and branches showed HHV levels between 4 399 kcal kg-1 (18.4 MJ kg-1) and 4 691 kcal kg-1 (19.6 MJ kg-1). The proventitious shoots of E. globulus, E. denticulata and, to a lesser extent, A. dealbata showed acceptable values for BD and HHV, and could be recommended for dendro-energy purposes. Tree pruning and thinning are recommended, in order to obtain two shoots per stump and improved values for BD and HHV.

Keywords : Bioenergy; wood quality; calorimetry; fast-growing trees; higher heating value; short rotation coppice.

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