Assessment of energy potential of wood industry wastes through thermochemical conversions

Abstract

Three kinds of waste resulting from woods from the Colombian industry were selected (PinusPátula, Tectona Grandis and Acacia Mangium) in order to assess their energy potential. Several techniques of physicochemical characterization were used to predict the most appropriate energy exploitation process in each case; which was validated at laboratory scale by carrying out the torrefaction, gasification and combustion process. Results allowed us to the identification of the high energy potential of such wood waste as well as their feasibility to generate torrefied products and synthesis gas as products with greater added values. As a special case, the species Tectona Grandis displayed the greatest conversion and synthesis gas quality on the basis of the gasification process, due to its physicochemical characteristics. These samples can be torrefacted in order to get a new product with higher energy potential than the original sample. Experimental study carried out, allowed us to demonstrate that there is a relationship between biomass chemical composition, yield, and process products. In addition, applying an additivity law of individual effects of the component, it is not possible to predict the process performances.

Keywords: Energy exploitation; Final disposal of waste; Thermochemical process; Wood manufacturing sector; Wood waste.