Abstract
The torrefaction is a thermal pre-treatment to improve biomass quality for biofuel applications. In this study, the effects of a mild torrefaction (T) on eight eucalypt species (Eucalyptus botryoides, E. globulus, E. grandis, E. maculata, E. propinqua, E. rudis, E. saligna and E. viminalis) have been compared. Namely, the mass loss (ML), the equilibrium moisture content (EMC), density and chemical composition were determined and FTIR spectra were recorded of the initial and torrefied woods (TWs). The average ML was 11% and the heat-treated woods had an overall 10% density decrement. All the TW had 50% lower EMC compared to untreated wood samples (W). Elemental composition showed that carbon content increased from 48% to 53% and the oxygen/carbon ratio decreased from 0.80 to 0.65. The chemical changes induced by T included an increment of extractives, a 20% higher lignin content and a 16% lower holocellulose content in relation to W. The hemicelluloses modification is manifested by a decrease of xylose, galactose, and acetyl groups in TWs. The fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of the different wood species were very similar, and reflected in a uniform manner the chemical changes upon T. Because of the similar reaction of the eucalypt species, they can also be used in form of mixed eucalypt feedstock as biofuel.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank the Federal University of Viçosa, CAPES (Coordination for the Development of Higher Level Personnel) and CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development) for the financial support given to the first author to carry out this work. The Forest Research Centre (CEF) is a research unit funded by FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal) through the strategic project AGR/UI0239/2013. The authors also thank the Industry Santos & Santos belonging to the group Catarino for the heat treatment of the wood samples.
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©2017 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Carbon fibres from precursors produced by dry-jet wet-spinning of kraft lignin blended with kraft pulps
- Characterization of the precipitated lignin from Japanese beech as treated by semi-flow hot-compressed water
- Chemical effects of a mild torrefaction on the wood of eight Eucalyptus species
- Analysis of distribution of wood extractives in Gmelina arborea by gas chromatography and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry
- Water sorption hysteresis in wood: I review and experimental patterns – geometric characteristics of scanning curves
- Water sorption hysteresis in wood: II mathematical modeling – functions beyond data fitting
- Relations of density, polyethylene glycol treatment and moisture content with stiffness properties of Vasa oak samples
- Facile surface hydrophobization of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) by silver deposition
- Calibration of SilviScan data of Cryptomeria japonica wood concerning density and microfibril angles with NIR hyperspectral imaging with high spatial resolution
- Thermal diffusivity measurement of Phyllostachys edulis (Moso bamboo) by the flash method
- The effects of brown-rot decay on select wood properties of poplar (Populus cathayana Rehd.) and its mechanism of action
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Carbon fibres from precursors produced by dry-jet wet-spinning of kraft lignin blended with kraft pulps
- Characterization of the precipitated lignin from Japanese beech as treated by semi-flow hot-compressed water
- Chemical effects of a mild torrefaction on the wood of eight Eucalyptus species
- Analysis of distribution of wood extractives in Gmelina arborea by gas chromatography and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry
- Water sorption hysteresis in wood: I review and experimental patterns – geometric characteristics of scanning curves
- Water sorption hysteresis in wood: II mathematical modeling – functions beyond data fitting
- Relations of density, polyethylene glycol treatment and moisture content with stiffness properties of Vasa oak samples
- Facile surface hydrophobization of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) by silver deposition
- Calibration of SilviScan data of Cryptomeria japonica wood concerning density and microfibril angles with NIR hyperspectral imaging with high spatial resolution
- Thermal diffusivity measurement of Phyllostachys edulis (Moso bamboo) by the flash method
- The effects of brown-rot decay on select wood properties of poplar (Populus cathayana Rehd.) and its mechanism of action