Summary
Data were collected on sources of fuel-wood in Amazonia (deforestation, sawmill-wastes and energy plantations) and on conversion processes (combustion, carbonization and/or gasification). The advantages and disadvantages of steam-engines and gasogens are presented, with special reference to applications in sawmills and generating municipal electricity. Wood is shown to be a rich, versatile fuel and the problems in expanding its use are considered to be as much institutional as tecnical.