Tag Archives: woody biomass

2455–2459 I. Vitázek,, T. Ondro, I. Sunitrová, R. Majdan and M. Šotnar
Thermoanalytical investigation of selected fuel during isothermal heating
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Thermoanalytical investigation of selected fuel during isothermal heating

I. Vitázek¹,*, T. Ondro², I. Sunitrová³, R. Majdan¹ and M. Šotnar²

¹Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Faculty of Engineering, Department of
Transport and Handling, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, SK949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
²Mendel University in Brno, Faculty of Agronomy, Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Engineering, Zemědělská 1, CZ61300 Brno, Czech Republic
³Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Faculty of Natural Sciences,
Department of Physics, Tr. A. Hlinku 1, SK94974 Nitra, Slovakia
*Correspondence: ivan.vitazek@uniag.sk

Abstract:

The thermal decomposition of woody biomass was studied using pellets made from residual processing spruce wood (Picea abies). The samples were studied using thermogravimetric analysis in the isothermal regime at the temperatures 275 °C, 300 °C, 325 °C, and 350 °C, which corresponds to the main decomposition region. The results show that the main decomposition region can be described as a volatilisation of the main constituents at a temperature higher than 300 °C. Otherwise, the results indicate, that the lignin does not decompose at lower temperatures. Therefore, it can be concluded that the heating rate is one of the most important parameters that affect the thermal decomposition of lignin and could lead to different interpretations if non-isothermal measurements are used.

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821-837 P.A. Marziliano, D. Russo, V. Altieri, G. Macrì and F. Lombardi
Optimizing the sample size to estimate growth in I-214 poplar plantations at definitive tree density for bioenergetic production
Abstract |

Optimizing the sample size to estimate growth in I-214 poplar plantations at definitive tree density for bioenergetic production

P.A. Marziliano*, D. Russo, V. Altieri, G. Macrì and F. Lombardi

Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, Department of AGRARIA, Loc. Feo di Vito, IT89165 Reggio Calabria, Italy
*Correspondence: pasquale.marziliano@unirc.it

Abstract:

In Europe, over the last decades, the arboriculture for woody biomass production has significantly expanded, often using poplar plantations. In order to maximize production, the flexibility of the cultivation algorithms becomes necessary. For this reason, it is necessary to apply monitoring tools for the evaluation and estimate of the wood productions, without significantly affect the production costs. In particular, for the estimate of the productions, the choice of the sample size is of particular importance. The aim of this study was to verify a simplified sampling approaches in poplar plantations characterized by constant tree density. The research was conducted in a poplar plantation on the Tuscan hills (Italy). The surveys were carried out each year for 13 years, from 4 to 16 years old. Through different statistical techniques, the change in the social position of each tree over time was evaluated. The results showed that the social position of each tree has been characterized by the first years after the plantation. Consequently, the estimate of the productions can be carried out by analysing the diameter increment of 10% of the trees, included in the diameter classes around the medium-sized tree at the time of the survey. This study provided a valid method for forest managers characterized by a simplified approach useful to estimate the growth and yield of hybrid poplars. This method will permit reliable biomass estimates, but also a reduction of the costs in the sampling activities in the field.

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