Pinus Pinaster and Eucalyptus Globulus Energetic Properties and Ash Characterization

An integrated fuel and ash characterization of Pinus Pinaster Aiton. (maritime pine) and Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (blue gum eucalyptus) species is presented in this study. Physical, thermal and chemical analysis, including density, moisture content, calorific value, proximate and ultimate analysis, were carried out. The fuel energy density (Ear) and the fuelwood value index were calculated ranking the fuelwood quality. Furthermore, ash elemental metals determination was carried out. The study showed ash content in the ranged 0.40-2.88% for E. globulus and 0.22-1.92% for Pinus Pinaster tree components. The carbon content of biomass tree components ranged from 43.4 to 53.1% for E. globulus and 46.5 to 49.3% for Pinus Pinaster. The nitrogen content ranged from 0.13 to 1.18%, the sulphur content from 0.056 to 0.148% and hydrogen around 6–7 % for the two species. The average Higher Heating Value (HHV) was inferior to bark stem of eucalyptus and pine (18.48 and 19.57 MJ kg-1, respectively) and superior to eucalyptus and pine leaves (23.48 and 21.61 MJ kg-1, respectively). The effective heating value per unit volume, the Energy Density (Ear), of 1.56 to 8.5 GJ m-3 to E. globulus and 2.06 to 8.9 GJ m-3 to Pinus Pinaster biomass tree components confirm the good fuel potential. The Fuelwood Value Index (FVI) ranked the pine wood stem (4658) and top (2861.8), followed by the eucalyptus wood stem (2727.4) and top (1857.2) as better quality and the biomass of eucalyptus leaves (374.4) and pine needles (394.2) as inferior quality. Analysis of chemical composition of the ashes revealed elemental contents below the national and most European legislation guidelines for ash application as fertilizer.