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Influence of Harvest Season and Storage Time on the Chemical Composition of Forest Biomass

ABSTRACT

This study determined the chemical composition variation of forest biomass according to harvest season and storage time. The experiment was carried out in Lages, State of Santa Catarina. Logs with bark of Pinus taeda L. and Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden were collected after harvest with two, four and six months of storage time. Solubility of wood in water, sodium hydroxide, toluene and alcohol and ash contents were evaluated. The chemical composition of wood with bark varied according to the harvest season of the trees. The highest values of extractives and ash content were obtained in summer and spring. The storage time caused variations in the chemical composition of forest biomass. Changes caused by the oxidation and transformation of extractives have occurred, resulting in increased solubility in water and alcohol toluene. Variations in the chemical composition alone did not contribute to the improvement of the biomass energetic quality.

Keywords:
storage; wood fuel; chemical composition.

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