Correlation between the chemical composition of wood and the increasing of its calorific value through heat treatment
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29352/mill0222e.39992Keywords:
heat treatment; chemical composition; calorific valueAbstract
Introduction: The greatest importance of biomass lies in its Higher Heating Value (HHV), when considered for energy production. The calorific value is significantly affected by the changes in the chemical composition of the wood that occur during heat treatment.
Objective: To understand the effect of heat treatment on the calorific value of the chemical constituents of two hardwoods: Sapelli and chestnut, and two softwoods: Scots pine and Siberian pine.
Methods: The calorific value was determined by a Parr calorimeter – model 6400. The content of extractives was determined by successive Soxhlet extraction using about 3 g of each sample and 150 ml of dichloromethane, ethanol, and water as solvents. The extractives content was determined in accordance with TAPPI 204, and insoluble lignin by the Klason method Tappi T 222 om-02. For the determination of holocellulose, the acid chlorite method was used.
Results: The calorific value of untreated wood ranged from 18.98 MJ/kg for chestnut to 20.35 MJ/kg for Siberian pine. Heat treatment resulted in an increase in the calorific value for most of the wood samples studied.
Conclusion: The rise in HHV observed during heat treatment in softwoods and hardwoods is mainly due to the increase in lignin content, although dichloromethane extractives also play an important role.
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