This study evaluated the influence of storage method on the physical and chemical properties of laricio pine wood chips for energy generation in the region of Basilicata, Italy. The storage of wood chips is a key factor in the wood fuel supply chain because it allows to compensate temporal differences between production and consumption stages. Experimental trials were performed analyzing three storage methods of wood chips: uncovered pile, under vapour-permeable and waterproof cover (PP sheet), and under waterproof PVC cover (PVC sheet). During six months of storage (from August 2016 to January 2017), only the wood chips pile covered under PP sheet registered a decrease in moisture content (about -19%). Use of cover made of vapour-permeable material was also found to improve the heating value of biomass (about +15%). However, the ash content was observed to increase throughout the storage period, reaching the maximum value for the uncovered wood chips pile (about +74%). No statistically significant differences between PP and PVC sheets were detected for dry matter losses, while significant energy losses were found in every kind of storage system. As a result of the analyzed weather conditions, open-air uncovered storage is suitable for short-term storage periods (less than 2 months), while for long-term period the use of permeable covers is more profitable.
Impact of storage on energy performance of laricio pine wood chips
C. BurattiWriting – Review & Editing
;F. Cristarella OrestanoInvestigation
;F. CotanaSupervision
;M. Barbanera
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
2019
Abstract
This study evaluated the influence of storage method on the physical and chemical properties of laricio pine wood chips for energy generation in the region of Basilicata, Italy. The storage of wood chips is a key factor in the wood fuel supply chain because it allows to compensate temporal differences between production and consumption stages. Experimental trials were performed analyzing three storage methods of wood chips: uncovered pile, under vapour-permeable and waterproof cover (PP sheet), and under waterproof PVC cover (PVC sheet). During six months of storage (from August 2016 to January 2017), only the wood chips pile covered under PP sheet registered a decrease in moisture content (about -19%). Use of cover made of vapour-permeable material was also found to improve the heating value of biomass (about +15%). However, the ash content was observed to increase throughout the storage period, reaching the maximum value for the uncovered wood chips pile (about +74%). No statistically significant differences between PP and PVC sheets were detected for dry matter losses, while significant energy losses were found in every kind of storage system. As a result of the analyzed weather conditions, open-air uncovered storage is suitable for short-term storage periods (less than 2 months), while for long-term period the use of permeable covers is more profitable.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
