Qualidade energética de diferentes genótipos de eucalyptus plantados na região norte do Tocantins

Abstract

The demand for renewable energy has been growing worldwide. The use of biomass as an energy input through direct wood combustion, charcoal, gasification, compaction, among other processes, has intensified significantly. In this context, this research aimed to evaluate the energy potential of wood from four hybrid Eucalyptus clones (Eucalyptus urophylla x Eucalyptus grandis – 2361, 321, 1250, 1296) and one seminal genetic material E1 (E. urophylla), all 14 years old, collected from a farm in the northern region of the state of Tocantins for bioenergy production. The analyses were conducted at the Laboratory of Technology and Utilization of Forest Products of the Federal University of Tocantins (UFT), where the physical, chemical, and energetic properties of the wood were determined through analyses of moisture content, basic density, total extractives content, total lignin, and holocellulose, in addition to proximate chemical analysis (PCA) of the wood by determining volatile matter, fixed carbon, and ash contents. The elemental components (Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen), higher heating value, energy density, carbon stock, and fuel value index were also estimated. The clonal effect significantly influenced basic and energy density, total lignin content, volatile matter content, fixed carbon, higher heating value, and fuel value index, respectively. Among the genetic materials analyzed, clone 1296 stood out for energy purposes, presenting higher average values for basic density (590 kg/m³) and energy density (2745.36 kcal/m³), total lignin (27.71%), fixed carbon content (14.24%), higher heating value (4602.48 kcal/kg), and fuel value index (14.60%). Overall, the five genetic materials studied met the specifications for energy use and may be highly viable due to their physical, chemical, and energetic characteristics as an alternative for renewable energy production.