Physical and chemical properties of Coarse Woody Debris submitted to the natural process of decomposition in a Secondary Atlantic Forest Fragment in Brazil.

Coarse Woody Debris (CWDs) are constantly exposed to the natural decomposition process of wood, which can lead to a change in its physical-chemical properties. However, these changes have not yet been fully elucidated, requiring further studies to help to understand the effect of this process on CWDs degradation. Thus, the objectives of this study were: (i) verify if the decomposition affects the physical-chemical properties of the CWDs; (ii) verify if the structural chemical composition of the CWDs is altered as a function of decomposition, using immediate chemical and thermogravimetric analysis. Wood samples were collected from the CWDs to carry out these analyses, considering pieces with diameters ≥ 5 cm separated into 4 decay classes. The results indicated that the average apparent density decreased as a function of the increase of CWDs decomposition (0.62-0.37 g cm-3). The averages contents of Carbon and Nitrogen suffered less impact with the increase of CWDs decompositions, ranging from 49.66 to 48.80% and 0.52 to 0.58%, respectively. Immediate chemical and thermogravimetric analysis indicated a loss of holocelluloses and extractives and an increase in the concentration of lignin and ash throughout the decomposition process. The weight loss analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis was greater for less decomposed CWDs and with larger diameters. The use of these analyzes removes the subjectivity of CWDs decay classes, reducing the number of tests to determine CWDs physical-chemical properties and increasing the studies accuracy focused on the carbon cycle of these materials.

Pelletizing of lignocellulosic wastes as an environmentally friendly solution for the energy supply: insights on the properties of pellets from Brazilian biomasses.

In the context of the circular bioeconomy and cleaner production, the incorporation of the by-products of plant biomass production in the bioenergy chain is fundamental. However, lignocellulosic wastes have properties that hinder their use for the production of biofuels. This study aims to evaluate how blends of lignocellulosic wastes improve the physical, chemical, and mechanical quality of pellets destined to the industrial sector, and to identify the challenges associated with the use of agroforestry biomass as raw material for pelletizing. Pellets were produced from blends of soybean wastes, sorghum wastes, pine needles, rice powder, Eucalyptus sawdust, and charcoal fines. Additionally, pure pellets composed of soybean wastes, sugarcane bagasse, and pine wood were evaluated. The effect of biomass type on the energy density, ash content, net heating value, and ultimate analysis was significant. The pellets produced with soybean wastes presented high contents of N (3.5-4.9%) and ashes (16.4-26.7%), besides low mechanical durability (≤ 96%), hindering its commercialization for industrial purposes. Pellets with sugarcane bagasse presented N (1.5%), S (0.03%), ashes (5.6%), mechanical durability (96.6%), and net heating value (15.1 MJ kg-1), suitable for industrial energy use in accordance with ISO 17225-6. The high N and ash contents and the low mechanical durability are the greatest challenges for the energy use of pellets produced from Brazilian agroforestry wastes.