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The aim of this study was to compare the properties of wood and charcoal of Eucalyptus sp., from two silvicultural systems (replanting and coppicing), in addition to assessing the economic viability of both systems, through the financial indicators Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Payback. The study was carried out in a charcoal producing company, located in the municipality of Itamarandiba, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The results showed that the wood from the coppice system has a lower Mean Annual Increment and a higher heartwood/sapwood ratio, producing a more friable charcoal and with lower productivity compared to the replanting system. Regarding the economic analysis, both systems were economically viable, with an IRR greater than the discount rate and a positive NPV. Comparatively, the economic results of the coppice system were slightly better, presenting less vulnerability in the sensitivity analysis regarding fluctuations in the price of charcoal. The option for coppice may be interesting for the producer due to its lower financial expenditure and satisfactory economic results, although with lower product quality [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazilian productivity of eucalyptus trees is one of the highest in the world, and it has sustainable and viable conditions to supply the demand for woody biomass in a large quantity and diversity. This favorable situation makes Brazil one of the countries with the greatest potential for the production development of torrefied woody biomass on a commercial scale. Torrefaction is a mild pyrolysis applied to increase the energy quality of the feedstock. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Brazilian potential of woody biomass torrefaction for energy purposes. An experimental study was performed evaluating this thermal treatment of eucalyptus wood chips on a semi-continuous screw reactor developed by a Brazilian university. The results showed the increases in the energy quality of eucalyptus wood chips as a function of torrefaction temperature and time. This thermal treatment was technically feasible for the hygroscopicity reduction and the increases of fixed carbon and calorific values of the woody biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of thermogravimetric analysis in the pre-selection of genetic materials. Twenty-five Eucalyptus spp. genetic materials were used. The analysis of the data consisted of three stages; first, was carried out an exploratory study of the wood and charcoal properties. Subsequently, a Pearson correlation analysis was performed between the parameters of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and the properties of wood and charcoal. Finally, once the presence of significant correlations between these properties was verified, pre-selection of genetic material was carried out. The loss of mass in the temperature range of 300-450°C, from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), showed the highest number of correlations between wood and charcoal properties, which allowed the use of this TGA variable in pre-selection of genetic materials. Genetic materials 9 (Hybrids of E. urophylla and E. maidenii), 10 (Hybrids of E. urophylla and Eucalyptus sp.), 19 (Hybrids of E. urophylla, E. camaldulensis, E. grandis and Eucalyptus sp.) And 21 (Hybrids of E. urophylla, E. camaldulensis, E. grandis and Eucalyptus sp.) presented potentials for charcoal production, through pre-selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shorter natural durability and low energy density of eucalyptus wood hampers its use in generating energy. Torrefaction or pre-carbonization, which is treatment in low oxygen with temperatures between 200 °C and 300 °C, accumulates carbon and lignin, decreases the hygroscopicity, increases the energy efficiency, and reduces the attractiveness of wood to xylophagous organisms, such as termites. The objective of this study was to evaluate the resistance of fresh and torrefied Eucalyptus urophylla (20 min at temperatures of 180 °C, 220 °C, and 260 °C) to dry wood termites (Cryptotermes brevis), following IPT standards. The torrefaction process increased the resistance to dry wood termite attack after 45 d of exposure, with mass losses five times greater in the in natura wood compared with the wood torrefied at 260 °C. The larger visual damage to the in natura chips confirmed its lower resistance to dry wood termites. Torrefaction at 260 °C increased the resistance to dry wood termites and was more efficient with a lower mass loss and wear, and caused a greater mortality of dry wood termites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Revista Caatinga is the property of Revista Caatinga and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)