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Properties of Forest Tree Branches as an Energy Feedstock in North-Eastern Poland

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  • Mariusz Jerzy Stolarski

    (Department of Genetics, Plant Breeding and Bioresource Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-724 Olsztyn, Poland
    Centre for Bioeconomy and Renewable Energies, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Łódzki 3, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland)

  • Natalia Wojciechowska

    (Department of Genetics, Plant Breeding and Bioresource Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-724 Olsztyn, Poland)

  • Mateusz Seliwiak

    (Department of Genetics, Plant Breeding and Bioresource Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-724 Olsztyn, Poland)

  • Tomasz Krzysztof Dobrzański

    (Department of Genetics, Plant Breeding and Bioresource Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-724 Olsztyn, Poland)

Abstract

Tree branches from forest tree harvesting for the timber industry are an important energy feedstock. Solid biofuel in the form of wood chips, produced from branches, is an excellent renewable energy source for generating heat and electricity. However, the properties of wood chips as a solid biofuel produced from forest tree branches can vary greatly depending on the species from which they have been produced. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the thermophysical properties and elemental composition of fresh branches harvested from nine tree species (pedunculate oak, silver birch, European ash, common aspen, grey alder, Norway maple, Scots pine, European larch and Norway spruce) over three consecutive years (2020–2022). The branches of the tree species most commonly found in Polish forests (Scots pine) were characterized by the highest heating value (an average of 20.74 GJ Mg −1 DM), the highest carbon content (an average of 55.03% DM), the lowest ash (an average of 0.60% DM) and nitrogen contents (an average of 0.32% DM), and low sulfur (an average of 0.017% DM) and chlorine contents (an average of 0.014% DM). A cluster analysis showed that the branches of all three coniferous tree species (Scots pine, Norway spruce and European larch) formed one common cluster, indicating similar properties. The branches of the European ash were characterized by the lowest wood moisture content (an average of 37.19% DM) and thus the highest lower heating value (an average of 10.50 GJ Mg −1 ). During the three years of the study, the chlorine and ash contents of the branches of the tree species under study exhibited the highest variability.

Suggested Citation

  • Mariusz Jerzy Stolarski & Natalia Wojciechowska & Mateusz Seliwiak & Tomasz Krzysztof Dobrzański, 2024. "Properties of Forest Tree Branches as an Energy Feedstock in North-Eastern Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-18, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:8:p:1975-:d:1380181
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mariusz Jerzy Stolarski & Paweł Stachowicz & Waldemar Sieniawski & Michał Krzyżaniak & Ewelina Olba-Zięty, 2021. "Quality and Delivery Costs of Wood Chips by Railway vs. Road Transport," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-17, October.
    2. Esperanza Monedero & Juan José Hernández & Rocío Collado, 2017. "Combustion-Related Properties of Poplar, Willow and Black Locust to be used as Fuels in Power Plants," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-11, July.
    3. Nerijus Pedišius & Marius Praspaliauskas & Justinas Pedišius & Eugenija Farida Dzenajavičienė, 2021. "Analysis of Wood Chip Characteristics for Energy Production in Lithuania," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-13, June.
    4. He, Yifeng & Zhao, Yingnan & Chai, Meiyun & Zhou, Zhongyue & Sarker, Manobendro & Li, Chong & Liu, Ronghou & Cai, Junmeng & Liu, Xinghua, 2020. "Comparative study of fast pyrolysis, hydropyrolysis and catalytic hydropyrolysis of poplar sawdust and rice husk in a modified Py-GC/MS microreactor system: Insights into product distribution, quantum," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    5. Paweł Stachowicz & Mariusz Jerzy Stolarski, 2022. "Thermophysical Properties and Elemental Composition of Black Locust, Poplar and Willow Biomass," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-16, December.
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