Abstract
This study aimed to determine the energy potential of coal Ziziphus joazeiro (Martius) and Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC., thus increasing the information about tree species occurring in semi-arid northeastern Brazil. Dendrometric parameters were evaluated, such as: height and commercial tree, diameter at breast height (DBH), its volume with and without shell. After the wood carbonizations, the energy characteristics of the coal species under study were determined, such as calorific value, gravimetric yield, real and apparent density, porosity, yield in condensed product, analysis of immediate chemistry (content of volatile materials, ash and fixed carbon) and humidity, which Prosopis juliflora has the highest values, exceeding those of Ziziphusjoazeiro and correlated to other tree species such as Mimosa tenuiflora, Aspidosperma pyrifolium, Croton sonderianus, Piptadenia stipulacea, Amburana cearensis, Cemostigma bracteosum and Handroanthus impetiginosus. Both species have a great potential for the production of charcoal, considering their excellent levels of gravimetric yield, fixed carbon and calorific value.
Keywords:
Prosopis juliflora; Ziziphus joazeiro; Charcoal; Biomass energy