Quality, productivity, energy and costs of woodchip produced by Cedrus deodara plantations: A case study in Italy. (September 2016) - Manzone, Marco
Abstract: The main tree species planted for woodchips production for energy use are: poplar ( Populus spp.), willow ( Salix spp.), black locust ( Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus spp.). Nevertheless, in the course of the years, other tree species were planted (i.e. Pinus strobus L.; Pauwlonia spp …). The scope of this study is the evaluation of energy and economic advantages, and quality of woodchip produced by a Cedrus deodara plantation situated in Italy. The plantation had a surface of 1.2 ha and trees were 14 years old. An amount of 363 t of fresh comminuted wood (about 300 t ha −1 ) was produced by the plantation considered. A total time of 39.5 h (about 5 days) was required to transform all trees in woodchip. The moisture content of woodchip produced was 52%, while the average Low Heating Value (HHV) was 8.51 MJ kg −1 . In this study, economic (production cost = 93 € t −1 DM) and energetic (output/input ratio = 74) evaluations of woodchip produced by Cedrus deodara plantations were positives. Nevertheless, the results obtained in this experimentation are close to the climate conditions and soil characteristics of Northwestern Italy. Highlights: Assessed feasibility of using Cedrus deodara plantation to produce woodchips. Determined woodchip moisture content, quality, energy use, and production costs. Chip analysis: 52% moisture content, low heating value 8.51 MJ kg −1, 1.9% ash content. Cedrus deodara plantation used 5.4 GJ ha −1 per year energy and 93 € per tonne of produced DM. Biomass from Cedrus deodara plantation may be an alternative biomass source.