Canadian Forest Service Publications
A review of mechanisms responsible for changes to stored wood biomass fuels. 2016. Krigstin, S.; Wetzel, S. Fuel 175:75-86.
Year: 2016
Issued by: Great Lakes Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 39044
Language: English
Availability: PDF (request by e-mail)
Available from the Journal's Web site. †
DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2016.02.014
† This site may require a fee
Abstract
Large scale bioenergy facilities require vast amounts of biomass materials and take advantage of a variety of woody materials in various forms including logs, hog fuel, bark, forest harvest residue, short-rotation hardwoods and whole tree chips. Development of the supply chain logistics necessary to deliver and utilize these material in a cost effective manner is well underway but is strongly dependent on forest type, regional and local harvesting practices as well as location, size and design of storage facilities available. Storage of woody biomass is necessary at various points along the supply chain but the effect of storage on woody biomass is complex and not fully understood. The key mechanisms responsible for major changes to woody biomass on storage are (i) living cell respiration, (ii) biological degradation, and (iii) thermo-chemical oxidative reaction. All three mechanisms involve mass to energy conversion and contribute to self-heating of piles and dry matter losses. Living cell respiration is a short term effect that lasts only several weeks while starch and sugar are readily available and adequate temperature and oxygen levels are present. Biological degradation is caused by a large variety of organisms from bacteria to wood degrading fungi and function best under specific moisture, temperature and oxygen conditions. Finally, thermo-chemical oxidative reactions can contribute to excessive dry matter loss once elevated temperatures have been attained in the pile as a consequence of the first two mechanisms. This review paper discusses the science behind the mechanisms of change to biomass on storage, and draws examples from experimental research to support the explanations.
Plain Language Summary
Forest biomass, once left to naturally decompose on the forest floor, is being widely considered as a low cost, low-carbon footprint fuel resource in Canada and many other countries around the world. Development of the supply chain logistics necessary to deliver and utilize this material in a cost effective manner is well underway but is strongly dependent on forest type as well as regional and local harvesting practices. Storage of the biomass is necessary at some points along the supply chain but the effect of storage on forest harvest residue is complex and not fully understood. Therefore, it is the intent of this review to survey the body of literature for information that explains the mechanisms for the changes that affect biomass fuels when stored over time.
