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From wood pellets to wood chips, risks of degradation and emissions from the storage of woody biomass – A short review

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  • Alakoski, Esa
  • Jämsén, Miia
  • Agar, David
  • Tampio, Elina
  • Wihersaari, Margareta

Abstract

The compounds in stored woody biomass degrade as a result of chemical and/or biological processes during storage. These processes produce gaseous emissions. Recent studies concerning gaseous emissions from wood pellet storages are reviewed herein. The applicability of the results from pellet research to wood chips is discussed. Thorough scientific understanding on the storage phenomena of wood chips is extremely important as the threat of climate change and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have led to an increased need to large scale wood chip storage to ensure supply. Typically the gases produced from stored woody biomasses are carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and other volatile hydrocarbons e.g. aldehydes and terpenes. CO2 and CH4 are greenhouse gases with high global warming potential. Chemical degradation via auto-oxidation of fats and fatty-acids seems to be the dominant mechanism for off-gassing from stored wood pellets, whereas biological processes are mainly responsible for the gaseous emission from wood chips. In confined storage spaces gaseous emissions may lead to oxygen depletion. Oxygen depletion together with a high CO concentration poses a serious health risk for those working in such conditions. The degradation processes also result in dry matter losses and in spontaneous heating and in the worst case, especially in large piles, spontaneous ignition of the stored material. Thorough and systematic scientific studies on degradation processes and their effects are needed in order to understand and minimise risks from large scale wood chips storage to human health, environment and property.

Suggested Citation

  • Alakoski, Esa & Jämsén, Miia & Agar, David & Tampio, Elina & Wihersaari, Margareta, 2016. "From wood pellets to wood chips, risks of degradation and emissions from the storage of woody biomass – A short review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 376-383.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:54:y:2016:i:c:p:376-383
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2015.10.021
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jämsén, M. & Agar, D. & Alakoski, E. & Tampio, E. & Wihersaari, M., 2015. "Measurement methodology for greenhouse gas emissions from storage of forest chips–A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 1617-1623.
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    1. Lasek, Janusz A. & Kopczyński, Marcin & Janusz, Marcin & Iluk, Andrzej & Zuwała, Jarosław, 2017. "Combustion properties of torrefied biomass obtained from flue gas-enhanced reactor," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 362-368.
    2. Miloš Gejdoš & Martin Lieskovský, 2024. "Overview of Health and Safety Risks in the Process of Production and Storage of Forest Biomass for Energy Purposes—A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-18, February.
    3. Francesco Miccio & Elettra Papa & Annalisa Natali Murri & Elena Landi & Matteo Minelli, 2021. "Pressurized Steam Conversion of Biomass Residues for Liquid Hydrocarbons Generation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-12, February.
    4. Baibhaw Kumar & Gábor Szepesi & Zoltán Szamosi & Gyula Krámer, 2023. "Analysis of a Combined Solar Drying System for Wood-Chips, Sawdust, and Pellets," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-17, January.
    5. Kazimierz Warmiński & Klaudia Anna Jankowska & Agnieszka Bęś & Mariusz Jerzy Stolarski, 2023. "Off-Gassing and Oxygen Depletion in Headspaces of Solid Biofuels Produced from Forest Residue Biomass," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-13, December.
    6. Sahoo, Kamalakanta & Bilek, E.M. (Ted) & Mani, Sudhagar, 2018. "Techno-economic and environmental assessments of storing woodchips and pellets for bioenergy applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 27-39.
    7. Solarte-Toro, Juan Camilo & González-Aguirre, Jose Andrés & Poveda Giraldo, Jhonny Alejandro & Cardona Alzate, Carlos A., 2021. "Thermochemical processing of woody biomass: A review focused on energy-driven applications and catalytic upgrading," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 136(C).
    8. Zappa, William & Junginger, Martin & van den Broek, Machteld, 2019. "Is a 100% renewable European power system feasible by 2050?," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233, pages 1027-1050.
    9. Xiao He & Anthony K. Lau & Shahab Sokhansanj, 2019. "Effect of Moisture on Gas Emissions from Stored Woody Biomass," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, December.
    10. Pedro J Lara Chaves & Julio Terrados Cepeda & Francisco J Gallego Alvarez & Manuel J Hermoso Orzáez, 2020. "Influence of Moisture, Temperature and Microbial Activity in Biomass Sustainable Storage. Special Focus on Olive Biomasses," International Journal of Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources, Juniper Publishers Inc., vol. 25(3), pages 115-126, August.
    11. Lelis Gonzaga Fraga & José Carlos F. Teixeira & Manuel Eduardo C. Ferreira, 2019. "The Potential of Renewable Energy in Timor-Leste: An Assessment for Biomass," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-12, April.
    12. Miguel-Angel Perea-Moreno & Francisco Manzano-Agugliaro & Alberto-Jesus Perea-Moreno, 2018. "Sustainable Energy Based on Sunflower Seed Husk Boiler for Residential Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-20, September.
    13. Promdee, Kittiphop & Chanvidhwatanakit, Jirawat & Satitkune, Somruedee & Boonmee, Chakkrich & Kawichai, Thitipong & Jarernprasert, Sittipong & Vitidsant, Tharapong, 2017. "Characterization of carbon materials and differences from activated carbon particle (ACP) and coal briquettes product (CBP) derived from coconut shell via rotary kiln," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 1175-1186.
    14. Guo, Feihong & Chen, Jun & He, Yi & Gardy, Jabbar & Sun, Yahui & Jiang, Jingyu & Jiang, Xiaoxiang, 2022. "Upgrading agro-pellets by torrefaction and co-pelletization process using food waste as a pellet binder," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 191(C), pages 213-224.

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