The use of plant biomass for energy purposes, including forest residues and underbrush, has many advantages in comparison to fossil fuel. It is considered that underbrush consisting of bushes and imperspective trees is unable to form a new stand. Calorific capacity and moisture content studies of underbrush have not been conducted in Lithuania. The aim of this study was to determine the moisture content, calorific capacity and ash production indices of underbrush (Corylus avellana L., Sorbus aucuparia L. and Frangula alnus Mill.) in separate fractions (stems, branches and leaves). It was estimated that moisture content of underbrush trees is independent of the values of morphometric indices. The ascertained moisture content in leaves of underbrush hazels, rowans and buckthorns is considerably higher than that in stems or branches. However, using underbrush as biofuel, major amount of leaves remains unused. The determined calorific capacity of underbrush (about 18 MJ kg-1) and ash production (about 1.1 percent) values of hazel, rowan and buckthorn differ insignificantly from analogous study values of trees and bushes presented in literature. Evaluating underbrush as a source of biofuel, small differences in calorific capacity and ash production among these species are considered insignificant.
Keywords: wood fuel, underbrush, moisture content, calorific capacity, ashiness
Authors
Aleinikovas M.
Department of Forest Resources, Economical and Policy, Institute of Forestry, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Girionys, Lithuani
Škėma M.
Department of Forest Resources, Economical and Policy, Institute of Forestry, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Girionys, Lithuani
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