Chemical Composition and Energy Evaluation of Abies spp. and Pinus spp. Sawdust Collected as a Byproduct of the Primary Wood Sawing

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to chemically evaluate the byproducts of the primary processing of genera Abies and Pinus, to determine the possibility of using them as solid biofuel. Ash percentage, volatile matter and fixed carbon values were determined by proximate analysis. The basic chemical composition includes the determination of extractives content, lignin and holocellulose. Ash microanalysis was performed with an X-ray spectrometer and the calorific value of the samples was determined by using an AC600 calorimeter. The results of this research varied as follows: the content of inorganic substances (0.33% to 0.41%), volatile matter (88.54% to 82.57%), fixed carbon (11.13% to 17.06%), extractives content (5.37% to 17.82%), Runkel lignin (27.33% to 30.97%), holocellulose content (58.53% to 69.56%) and calorific value (19.09 MJ·kg-1 to 20.42 MJ·kg-1). According to the X-ray analysis, the most abundant elements were potassium, calcium and magnesium; whereas no heavy metals were found. The results of this research show that the two genera studied here are suitable for solid biofuel production.