Worldwide there is an increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions and an ever-increasing range of organic products. This creates an increasing demand for biomass. As these markets grow, major biomass producers will shift from primarily seeking economically viable market options to seeking to access the highest value market for which their biomass is suitable. The ability to match biomass quality and characteristics to market value and opportunities will require a shift from simple trade values based on volume, mass and moisture content to being able to identify and measure biomass characteristics that determine its value in different energy and biomaterial production processes. This basic knowledge of biomass quality will enable effective and economical access to areas with emerging biomass opportunities. Characteristics of biomass play an important role in product classification, economic values and types of use. Qualitative, physical and chemical characteristics of biomass feedstocks are important in defining their suitability for different conversion systems, such as direct combustion (heat process), as well as thermochemical and biochemical conversion processes to produce liquid biofuels or biochemicals.
This research was initiated by IEA Bioenergy Task 43 (Biomass Supply) with the aim of assessing and identifying key biomass characteristics as they relate to commercially viable biomaterial and bioenergy processes. The search was limited to woody biomass and raw materials. The assessment results were classified based on regions such as Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. Each case study was described based on the research background, type of biomass, and biomass characteristics measured.
The main characteristics of biomass mentioned in biomass studies are moisture content, ash content and calorific value. Other less frequently mentioned characteristics were bulk density, contamination, particle shape and nutrient (elemental) content. In this report you will find detailed information about several case studies.
The article was published publicly in the magazine Silva Balcanica
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Identification of the most important quality characteristics of woody biomass
Most of the current knowledge concerns the application of woody biomass for the generation of bioenergy, such as heat/power. Future studies around the world could evaluate the quality of biomass for other applications such as biofuels and bioproducts.
Source: ieabioenergy.com
