Potential for pellet manufacturing with wood waste from construction in Costa Rica

Abstract

The construction sector in Costa Rica produces approximately 100 kg per square meter of residues, of which wood waste comprises 30%. Utilization of these wastes is still limited, but options are being sought and biomass is one of them. The aim of this work was to evaluate the characteristics of biomass produced from wood waste from construction, its energy potential, and its appropriateness for pellet manufacturing by determining its energy, physical, and mechanical characteristics. It was found that wood waste from construction is composed of different species with densities below 0.5 g/cm3, 26% moisture content, and 10% ash content; contamination with cement and nails can reach 6%. The process of pellet manufacturing can adapt adequately to using wood waste from construction, with an efficiency or yielding of 33%. Pellets presented a calorific value of 19573 kJ/kg, a bulk density of 1.25 g/cm3, an apparent density of 700 kg/m3, a failure force in compression of 467 N, and durability of 94.28%. According to different standards, the results obtained for biomass from wood waste are within the range established for pellet quality; therefore, wood waste from construction can be used to produce pellets, despite the disadvantage of it presenting high ash content.