Summary
The energy characteristics of hybrid willow (Salix spp.) were evaluated to improve the selection and breeding program of this short-rotation species. The differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) has proven to be a valuable tool over the conventional adiabatic oxygen bomb calorimeter (AOB) based on its accounting for losses due to dissipated heat, incomplete combustion of pyrolysis and the loss of the heat of vaporization. The average heat content of the four unextracted hybrid willow determined by AOB and DSC was 4635 cal/g and 1609 cal/g respectively. Clone SP-3 is the superior tree based on its energy content per volume of biomass and energy content per square meter of land. Chemical composition of the wood was determined to elucidate its effects on the pyrolysis and combustion. Fuels with high extractive and lignin contents will not necessarily liberate the highest energy when burned. The ash, although representing only a minor proportion by weight, appears to be a major determinant in the combustion behaviour of a material.
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Authors would like to thank Dr. L. Williams of the Department of Chemistry Engineering and Applied Chemistry for the unrestricted use of the DSC, without which this work could not have been completed. I would also like to extend my appreciation to Dr. S. K. Konar for his assistance throughout this work and Mr. D. Charles for facilitating the laboratory work. Our appreciation is extended to the Natural Science and Engineering Council for supporting this research
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Krigstin, S.G., Wong, B.M. & Roy, D.N. The contribution of the chemical components in juvenile hybrid Salix spp. to its total energy output. Wood Sci.Technol. 27, 309–320 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00195310
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00195310