Energy Conversion and Efficient Utilization of Woody Biomass

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Wood Science and Forest Products".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 1449

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Centre for Natural Resources, Environment and Society-CERNAS-IPV Research Centre, Av. Cor. José Maria Vale de Andrade, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal
2. Department of Wood Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Av. Cor. José Maria Vale de Andrade, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal
Interests: wood and other lignocellulosic materials; lignocellulosic conversion; biomass conversion; ecotoxicology; heat treatment; green technology; pyrolysis; natural fibers

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, 1649-004 Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: chemical valorization of lignocellulosic biomass using extraction; thermochemical conversion; adsorption methods
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Forest Research Center, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: biomass; biorefineries; non-wood products; forest-based industries; natural products; circular economy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The utilization of woody biomass for energy conversion involves employing advanced technologies to extract energy efficiently from organic materials such as forestry residues and agricultural waste. This process, driven by the need for sustainable energy sources, includes various thermochemical and biochemical pathways, such as pyrolysis, gasification, and fermentation. The aim is to maximize energy yields while minimizing environmental impact, promoting circular bioeconomy principles. Research efforts focus on optimizing conversion processes, assessing biomass resources, and developing policy frameworks to foster market growth and mitigate socio-economic and environmental challenges. Novel thermochemical and biochemical conversion processes to enhance the efficiency and versatility of woody biomass utilization are needed. This includes advancements in pyrolysis, gasification, and bio-refining techniques to maximize energy yields and produce valuable by-products such as biochar and biochemicals. The concept of integrated biorefineries is gaining traction. These biorefineries aim to valorize multiple biomass feedstocks and produce a spectrum of bio-based products. They optimize resource utilization by integrating various conversion pathways and diversifying product portfolios, thereby enhancing economic viability and sustainability. Beyond energy conversion, the efficient utilization of woody biomass extends to diverse applications such as sustainable materials, biochemicals, and soil amendments. This involves valorizing forestry residues and agricultural by-products for the production of bioplastics, biochar, and bio-based chemicals, contributing to circular economy initiatives.

Prof. Dr. Bruno Esteves
Dr. Ali Umut Sen
Prof. Dr. Helena Pereira
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • woody biomass
  • energy conversion
  • efficient utilization
  • thermochemical processes
  • integrated biorefineries
  • valorization
  • biochar
  • bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS)
  • sustainability

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

9 pages, 718 KiB  
Article
Solid Biofuel from the Amazon: A Circular Economy Approach to Briquette Production from Wood Waste
by Mariana Vilas Boas, Antonio Jose Vinha Zanuncio, Duarte Neiva, Angélica de Cássia Oliveira Carneiro, Vinicius Resende de Castro, Benedito Rocha Vital, Paula Gabriella Surdi, Amélia Guimarães Carvalho, Vicente Toledo Machado de Morais Junior and Solange de Oliveira Araújo
Forests 2024, 15(8), 1328; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15081328 - 31 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1162
Abstract
The Amazon region contains numerous areas dedicated to sustainable timber extraction. This operation has low yields and generates a large amount of waste. However, this waste can be repurposed for energy generation, providing income for locals and reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources [...] Read more.
The Amazon region contains numerous areas dedicated to sustainable timber extraction. This operation has low yields and generates a large amount of waste. However, this waste can be repurposed for energy generation, providing income for locals and reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources prevalent in the region. This study aimed to assess the impact of torrefaction on various wood residues for briquette production. Wood residues from Mimosa scabrella Benth (Bracatinga), Dipteryx odorata (Aubl.) Willd. (Cumaru), and Aspidosperma populifolium A.DC. (Peroba mica) were torrefied at temperatures ranging from 180 to 220 °C for sixty minutes under a nitrogen atmosphere. Briquettes were produced using laboratory equipment with loading pressures between 7 and 14 MPa. Torrefied particle properties were evaluated based on proximate composition and calorific value tests, while briquette quality was assessed for physical and mechanical properties. The results demonstrated the briquetting potential of different wood species before and after torrefaction, with optimal outcomes achieved by torrefaction at 220 °C due to its enhancement of energy density. Briquettes showed optimal characteristics at compression pressures of 14 MPa, resulting in increased density (between 1.10 and 1.24 g·cm−3) and compression strength (between 7.20 and 21.02 MPa). The ash values were low and met the requirements. The utilization of waste for briquette production offers a significant alternative for energy generation in economically disadvantaged communities, while also enabling the replacement of non-renewable energy sources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Conversion and Efficient Utilization of Woody Biomass)
Back to TopTop