Influence of the storage season over the quality of wood fuel

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the optimal storage season for improving the quality of forest biomass for energy generation. The experiment was carried out in Lages, Brazil, between October 2003 and February 2005. 4 lots of Pinus taeda and Eucalyptus dunnii logs were stocked, in piles, with samples collected from the freshly harvested material, with two, four and six months of storage. The lot 1 was stored between October (2003) and May (2004), lot 2 (January-August (2004)), lot 3 (May-November (2204)) and 4 (August (2004)-February (2005)). The evaluated properties were as follows: moisture content on wet basis, gross and net calorific value. The storage season had influence on the biomass quality, with changes in moisture content and net calorific value. For both species, the best storage season was between August and February (lot 4) and from October to May (lot 1), with the greatest loss of moisture and higher energy savings. Therefore, forest biomass harvested in late winter or early spring, which remained in storage during the summer up to early winter had a better energy quality.