Energetic characterization of lignocellulosic biomass from Southwest Spain

Abstract

Different lignocellulosic biomass sources were characterized energetically along a study period of two years in Huelva (southwestern region in Spain) for energy production. Then, the different kinds of lignocellulosic biomass obtained from these sources were evaluated and classified according to use, such as fuel for electric power generation in the area. The groupings of the average moisture content values and average gross heating values (over dry basis) of the samples analyzed were made based on the type of material, and for larger groups (with a significant dispersion of the gross heating values), the average values were estimated in subgroups or “characteristic groups.” A six-cluster scheme allowed us to classify the different groups of materials. The average gross heating values of the six different clusters (raw materials) showed significant similarities. It was observed that softwood and related materials typically have values in the region of 20.0 MJ/kg, and hardwood, such as that from Eucalyptus globulus, yields about 18.0 MJ/kg, whereas other deciduous plants (and their residues) give lower values.