Title : Preliminary approach of invasive shrubs management to fight forest wildfires and as an available biomass for pellet production
Abstract:
The use of firewood with high moisture content in household heating is responsible for about 80% of air pollution by particulate matter smaller than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) in central-southern Chile. As a way to mitigate atmospheric pollution Plans for Prevention and Atmospheric Decontamination (PPDA) has recently begun to operate in the largest urban regions of Chile. The main focus of these Plans is to replace firewood with more efficient biofuels, like pellets. Nowadays, pellets are produced from pine sawdust, which is a byproduct generated by the cellulose industry. However, the high demand for pellets has generated successive breaks of stock which motivates in looking for new raw and low-cost materials. Furthermore, invasive shrubs are highly available biomass for bioenergy production in central-southern Chile. These shrubs also have increased forest wildfires virulence in mega forest fires that happened in the last years. According to the aforementioned, the study aimed to develop a preliminary approach to determine the effect of invasive shrubs management to fight forest wildfires by evaluating the biomass for pellet production. The biomass management of Teline monspessulana, Ulex europaeus, and Rubus ulmifolius was evaluated in a wildland-urban interface (WUI) in central cities in Chile by applying a fire simulation algorithm using the FLAMMAP 6.1 and ARCGIS PRO tools, the area Modelted for the surrounding areas to Florida, Cabrero and Curanilahue corresponds to 138,651, 142,302 and 147,856 has respectively considering the extraction of biomass type weeds of no more than 2m high. The sample biomass was analyzed according to its physicochemical parameters and then, the shrubs biomass with the best properties was evaluated for pellet production. The obtained results show the effectiveness of the biomass management obtaining a decrease in heat per unit area (kW/m²) 86%, progress line intensity (kW/m) 93%, and flame height (m) 75%. Moreover, the physicochemical properties of T. monspessulana, U. europaeus, and R. ulmifolius showed good properties of high heating value (HHV) of 18.5, 18.5, and 18.4 MJ/kg, respectively. However, high ash content was detected in U. europaeus and R. ulmifolius (1.7 and 3.3 %, respectively) compared to the low value obtained for T. monspessulana (1%). Due to that a low ash content is a critical parameter in the pellet, T. monspessulana was proved for pellet production in a blend of 80% pine sawdust:20% T. monspessulana. Then, the pellet produced in a pilot plant showed adequate properties according to normative EN ISO 17225-2. The obtained results are the first approach to the environmental benefit of the shrubs management to fight forest wildfire producing available biomass destined for biofuel production. Further research should be developed to evaluate the combustion performance of the new pellet produced.
Audience Takeaway:
Our results give the viewer a new biomass alternative for the manufacture of a pellet type biofuel for heating.
- A new biomass alternative of woody invasive species for pellet production as a novelty for producers worldwide.
- Know how the management of a certain type of Bioamsa decreases forest fire virulence.
- Know the physicochemical characteristics offered by these new biomass for pellet production.
