Search

Background: The significance of sustainable energy development and the battle against climate change continues to grow each year. Countries exhibiting unsustainable fossil fuel consumption practices are actively pursuing strategies to decrease import dependency and mitigate pollution through innovative approaches in their energy policies. In this context, the countries aim to rely primarily on their own direct and indirect energy resources. Identifying and using new resources to secure clean energy represents one of the strategic approaches to achieving the established objective. The focus is on using resources that have the greatest potential and whose exploitation aligns with the economic capabilities of the countries. The Western Balkan countries have relied on substantial coal use for decades, resulting in significant pollution emissions, but they lack the capacity to invest in specific renewable energy alternatives. Upon examining the potential, it is evident that the most significant opportunity for acquiring clean energy in the region is found in the biomass sourced from forestry and agriculture. The exploitation of agroforestry systems facilitates carbon sequestration, in addition to various beneficial outcomes. The Western Balkan region boasts abundant forests and lands conducive to the implementation of agroforestry systems, which hold considerable, yet untapped, potential for clean energy generation. This paper aims to review and synthesize knowledge regarding agroforestry in the Western Balkan countries, assess the capacity of forest and agroforestry resources, and identify essential activities that can promote their more intensive yet sustainable use. Main text: The potential of using agroforestry as a source of bioenergy has not been sufficiently explored in the Western Balkans. Therefore, the research was conducted by examining the scientific literature and pertinent statistical indicators. The literature search covered 85 scientific references, encompassing conference proceedings, abstracts, and additional valuable resources. This expanded reference base provided a solid foundation for analyses and discussions on agroforestry in the Western Balkan region. Following that, an analysis of the forest potential and prior experiences in energy production from forest biomass in five Western Balkan countries was conducted and presented. The analysis revealed that the share of forests and forest biomass in the region's total territory is the lowest in Albania (37.5%) and the highest in Bosnia and Herzegovina (61.1%). This signifies a substantial biomass potential that is underused, while agroforestry systems exist in rural regions only in a few areas that satisfy the requirements of individual households. The systematic collection of biomass from the agroforestry system and its usage for clean energy generation are at a minimal level. Furthermore, the examination of the regulatory framework demonstrates the importance of developing policies and incentive mechanisms that recognize agroforestry as a method of obtaining biomass and ensuring food and water security. Therefore, a model of the supply chain and the main elements of the agroforestry–agriculture–energy nexus is proposed as a starting point for enhancing cross-sectoral cooperation and the sustainable use of forest resources. Conclusions: The main findings presented in this paper could benefit the Western Balkan countries seeking to enhance sustainable energy development approaches. Given the substantial forest and land resources and favorable climatic conditions in the Western Balkan region, forthcoming strategies must incorporate the formulation and implementation of effective agroforestry policies, as well as their integration into energy policy and sustainable development plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fabricating non-noble metal-based carbon air electrodes with highly efficient bifunctionality is big challenge owing to the sluggish kinetics of oxygen reduction/evolution reaction (ORR/OER). The efficient cathode catalyst is urgently needed to further improve the performance of rechargeable zinc-air batteries. Herein, an activation-doping assisted interface modification strategy is demonstrated based on freestanding integrated carbon composite (CoNiLDH@NPC) composed of wood-based N and P doped active carbon (NPC) and CoNi layer double hydroxides (CoNiLDH). In the light of its large specific surface area and unique defective structure, CoNiLDH@NPC with strong interfacecoupling effect in 2D-3D micro-nanostructure exhibits outstanding bifunctionality. Such carbon composites show half-wave potential of 0.85 V for ORR, overpotential of 320 mV with current density of 10 mA cm-2 for OER, and ultra-low gap of 0.70 V. Furthermore, highly-ordered open channels of wood provide enormous space to form abundant triple-phase boundary for accelerating the catalytic process. Consequently, zinc-air batteries using CoNiLDH@NPC show high power density (aqueous: 263 mW cm-2, quasi-solid-state: 65.8 mW cm-2) and long-term stability (aqueous: 500 h, quasi-solid-state: 120 h). This integrated protocol opens a new avenue for the rational design of efficient freestanding air electrode from biomass resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study demonstrates the importance of biomass as a renewable energy source; the forest ecosystems with high-energy potential have a high carbon storage capacity and the key factor being the amount of biomass stored. The study area was Romania, located in Europe, where the author selected 90 forest ecosystems spread along an altitudinal gradient from the lower Danube floodplain (15 m asl.) to the Carpathian Mountains (2100 m asl.). In each ecosystem type, five circular areas of 500 m2 were selected, where the following parameters were measured and estimated: tree species composition, average age, total timber volume (m3/ha) and annual productivity (m3/ha/year), and wood density (g/cm3). The calorific capacity of the wood was determined by calorimetric methods using the Bomb Calorimeter (Model-IKA C2000), the carbon content was measured with a CE InstrumentsEA-1110 CHNS-O dispositive, and the carbon stock was calculated using CO2FIX31EXE based on woody biomass carbon stocks. From the point of view of standing crop biomass, the most valuable are pure forests, 130-year-old (355 t/ha); mixed beech forests where beech dominates, 110-year-old (300.8 t/ha); and the planted forest, the 35-year-old poplar plantation was the most productive (199.5 t/ha). The highest productivity was in the 10-year-old planted poplar forest (7.14 t/ha/year), followed by the 110-year-old sessile oak forest (2.35 t/ha/year), and 110-year-old mixed beech forests, where 50% beech in composition. In natural forests, in terms of energy, the most efficient are pure beech forests and those mixed with fir and spruce, and for the planted forest, it is the poplar forest. A direct correlation is between the capacity to produce and store energy of the forest ecosystems and the capacity to fix and store the carbon through photosynthesis, and the biomass is a key factor that proves this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The significance of sustainable energy development and the battle against climate change continues to grow each year. Countries exhibiting unsustainable fossil fuel consumption practices are actively pursuing strategies to decrease import dependency and mitigate pollution through innovative approaches in their energy policies. In this context, the countries aim to rely primarily on their own direct and indirect energy resources. Identifying and using new resources to secure clean energy represents one of the strategic approaches to achieving the established objective. The focus is on using resources that have the greatest potential and whose exploitation aligns with the economic capabilities of the countries. The Western Balkan countries have relied on substantial coal use for decades, resulting in significant pollution emissions, but they lack the capacity to invest in specific renewable energy alternatives. Upon examining the potential, it is evident that the most significant opportunity for acquiring clean energy in the region is found in the biomass sourced from forestry and agriculture. The exploitation of agroforestry systems facilitates carbon sequestration, in addition to various beneficial outcomes. The Western Balkan region boasts abundant forests and lands conducive to the implementation of agroforestry systems, which hold considerable, yet untapped, potential for clean energy generation. This paper aims to review and synthesize knowledge regarding agroforestry in the Western Balkan countries, assess the capacity of forest and agroforestry resources, and identify essential activities that can promote their more intensive yet sustainable use. Main text The potential of using agroforestry as a source of bioenergy has not been sufficiently explored in the Western Balkans. Therefore, the research was conducted by examining the scientific literature and pertinent statistical indicators. The literature search covered 85 scientific references, encompassing conference proceedings, abstracts, and additional valuable resources. This expanded reference base provided a solid foundation for analyses and discussions on agroforestry in the Western Balkan region. Following that, an analysis of the forest potential and prior experiences in energy production from forest biomass in five Western Balkan countries was conducted and presented. The analysis revealed that the share of forests and forest biomass in the region’s total territory is the lowest in Albania (37.5%) and the highest in Bosnia and Herzegovina (61.1%). This signifies a substantial biomass potential that is underused, while agroforestry systems exist in rural regions only in a few areas that satisfy the requirements of individual households. The systematic collection of biomass from the agroforestry system and its usage for clean energy generation are at a minimal level. Furthermore, the examination of the regulatory framework demonstrates the importance of developing policies and incentive mechanisms that recognize agroforestry as a method of obtaining biomass and ensuring food and water security. Therefore, a model of the supply chain and the main elements of the agroforestry–agriculture–energy nexus is proposed as a starting point for enhancing cross-sectoral cooperation and the sustainable use of forest resources. Conclusions The main findings presented in this paper could benefit the Western Balkan countries seeking to enhance sustainable energy development approaches. Given the substantial forest and land resources and favorable climatic conditions in the Western Balkan region, forthcoming strategies must incorporate the formulation and implementation of effective agroforestry policies, as well as their integration into energy policy and sustainable development plans.

Wood pellets are increasingly promoted as a renewable and sustainable energy source, driving the global wood pellet market to a projected value of $16 billion by 2026. However, the rapid expansion of this industry disproportionately affects predominantly Black and low-income communities in the rural South, where approximately 100 pellet manufacturing plants are currently located in the United States. From August 2023 to March 2024, we conducted a noise exposure assessment in Gloster, Mississippi, a community affected by pellet production, and compared it to Mendenhall, a nearby community without industrial activity. In collaboration with a local organization, we measured noise metrics and found significantly higher A-weighted, C-weighted, and Z-weighted sound levels in Gloster, along with elevated decibels at multiple center frequencies. These findings suggest that wood pellet manufacturing can severely alter the soundscape of rural communities, raising environmental justice concerns. Our findings underscore the importance of investigating the cumulative health impacts of noise and other environmental burdens on these vulnerable communities to better inform policy.

Forest carbon credit project developments throughout the world can contribute to nature-based solutions to mitigate climate change. With Malaysia’s large forest endowment, a study was conducted to evaluate the awareness and knowledge among forest owners, and to identify the main constraints faced when venturing into forest carbon credit projects. A total of 75 companies in both forest plantations and natural forests were involved in the study. The results clearly suggest that knowledge and awareness of forest carbon credit projects is relatively low among forest owners. Hence, forest carbon credit projects development in the country is relatively slow and only a few projects have had serious development to the auction phase. The slow uptake of carbon projects is plagued by the low carbon credit price, lack of clarity in the national carbon policy, limited expertise and capability for project development, and the lack of financing mechanisms for project development. Forest owners prefer biomass production and timber production due to the higher economic returns. Against this background, policymakers as well as federal-state initiatives need to address the gaps with the forest carbon credit project development ecosystem, in order to facilitate and realize the full carbon sequestration potential of the country.

Forest carbon credit project developments throughout the world can contribute to nature-based solutions to mitigate climate change. With Malaysia's large forest endowment, a study was conducted to evaluate the awareness and knowledge among forest owners, and to identify the main constraints faced when venturing into forest carbon credit projects. A total of 75 companies in both forest plantations and natural forests were involved in the study. The results clearly suggest that knowledge and awareness of forest carbon credit projects is relatively low among forest owners. Hence, forest carbon credit projects development in the country is relatively slow and only a few projects have had serious development to the auction phase. The slow uptake of carbon projects is plagued by the low carbon credit price, lack of clarity in the national carbon policy, limited expertise and capability for project development, and the lack of financing mechanisms for project development. Forest owners prefer biomass production and timber production due to the higher economic returns. Against this background, policymakers as well as federal-state initiatives need to address the gaps with the forest carbon credit project development ecosystem, in order to facilitate and realize the full carbon sequestration potential of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering Nagano City, as the cold climate region of Japan, the annual heating load was simulated using a model of a two-story timber structure. The results of simulations were used to compare the CO2 emissions according to the energy consumption of five methods of heating as well as primary and secondary energy sources. Actual data from power and gas companies in Nagano and Japanese energy standards were used for the estimations of CO2 emissions of electric heat pump air conditioners, LNG-powered city gas boilers, LPG boilers, kerosene stoves, and wood biomass boilers using pellets as an energy source. Wood biomass boilers showed CO2 emission savings of up to 85 %, 75 %, 75 %, and 76 %, respectively. The operating and equipment costs were estimated based on secondary energy calculations. The kerosene stove had the lowest cost, but CO2 emissions were lowest in the case of using pellet boilers for 30 years. These results clearly show the potential and merit of pellets used in wood biomass boilers as a renewable energy source when compared to fossil fuels. In addition to the CO2 reduction capabilities, the low operating costs of wood biomass heating systems incentivize their use in cold climates.

The thermo-chemical conversion of biomass wastes is a practical approach for the value-added reclamation of bioenergy in large quantities, and pyrolysis plays a core role in this process. In this work, poplar (PR) and cedar (CR) were used as staple wood biomasses to investigate the apparent kinetics of TG/DTG at different heating rates. Secondly, miscellaneous wood chips (MWC), in which PR and CR were mixed in equal proportion, were subjected to comprehensive investigations on their pyrolysis behavior and product evolution in a fixed bed reactor with pyrolysis temperature, catalyst, and the flow rate H2O steam as influencing factors. The results demonstrated that both PR and CR underwent three consecutive pyrolysis stages, the TG/DTG curves shifted to higher temperatures, and the peak temperature intervals also enhanced as the heating rate increased. The kinetic compensation effect expression and apparent reaction kinetic model of CR and PR pyrolysis were obtained based on the law of mass action and the Arrhenius equation; the reaction kinetic parameter averages of Ea and A of its were almost the same, which were about 72.38 kJ/mol and 72.36 kJ/mol and 1147.11 min−1 and 1144.39 min−1, respectively. The high temperature was beneficial for the promotion of the pyrolysis of biomass, increased pyrolysis gas yield, and reduced tar yield. This process was strengthened in the presence of the catalyst, thus significantly increasing the yield of hydrogen-rich gas to 117.9 mL/g-biomass. It was observed that H2O steam was the most effective activator for providing a hydrogen source for the whole reaction process, promoted the reaction to proceed in the opposite direction of H2O steam participation, and was beneficial to the production of H2 and other hydrocarbons. In particular, when the flow rate of H2O steam was 1 mL/min, the gas yield and hydrogen conversion were 76.94% and 15.90%, and the H2/CO was 2.07. The yields of H2, CO, and CO2 in the gas formation were significantly increased to 107.35 mL/g-biomass, 53.70 mL/g-biomass, and 99.31 mL/g-biomass, respectively. Therefore, H2 was the most dominant species among gas products, followed by C-O bond-containing species, which provides a method for the production of hydrogen-rich gas and also provides ideas for compensating or partially replacing the fossil raw material for hydrogen production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast-growing wood plantations have been widely used as an alternative to the suppression of native vegetation. Forest wood can be enhanced by thermal modifications, which improve the wood's natural durability and dimensional stability. In addition, the wood's appearance is also enhanced, as its color is made darker, thus more similar to those of tropical woods, which increases its commercial value. However, such heat treatment needs precise process control tools, since it improves the physical properties of wood but reduces its mechanical resistance. Therefore, the use of artificial intelligence, as an artificial neural network (ANN), to conduct the thermal process, can be an alternative to overcome the laborious and detailed work needed to perform the treatment. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the physical, mechanical, and colorimetric properties of the ANN-assisted thermally modified woods of Eucalyptus urophylla and Pinus oocarpa, in order to predict their structural and esthetic properties. The thermal modification improved the physical properties but reduced the mechanical strength of the wood, from 150 ºC and above. Such treatment also promoted color changes. The ANN showed high precision in evaluating and monitoring the properties of the thermally modified woods, with a correlation coefficient for validation higher than 91%, coefficient of determination above 83%, and mean absolute percentage error below 12%. Furthermore, the root mean squared errors and mean absolute percentage error were lower than 13% for all evaluated parameters, showing high accuracy and normal distribution of errors. Therefore, ANN seems a promising alternative for the classification and characterization of thermally modified wood and can be implemented for final quality control of the product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This paper is devoted to identifying supply chain management methods applicable within reverse supply chains of wood biomass. In general, sustainable supply chains are characterised by increased process efficiency. Reverse supply chains also require proper management. Hence it is necessary to verify the applicability of existing management methods and tools within chains of this type. This article is devoted to identifying management methods and tools that have the potential to be used in reverse supply chains of wood biomass. Particular emphasis was placed on the well-known green supply chain management approach (GrSC), the concept of Zero Waste Management, the product life cycle (LCA), cost-effectiveness, and environmental efficiency. The possibility of adopting the available methods in reverse wood biomass supply chains has been analysed with reference to the limitations and opportunities resulting from the methods used. Methods: The research was divided into two stages. In the first stage, an in-depth argumentative literature review (ALR) was performed to identify methods and tools suitable for implementation within reverse supply chains of wood biomass. The second stage outlined boundaries and possibilities for implementing management methods within reverse supply chains of wood biomass. Results: The study indicated the potential to implement available management solutions in reverse supply chains of wood biomass. However, it is necessary to consider the specificity of wood biomass material flows and the characteristic elements of supply chain infrastructure they require. Conclusions: The results show that sustainable supply chain management methods are suitable for use in reverse supply chains of wood biomass. It is necessary to consider the specific characteristics of wood biomass and the location of its acquisition points in existing supply chains. A number of limitations, related to the availability of data, their quality, the location of biomass sourcing locations and processing centres, and the degree of integration of internal processes resulting from the size of the company dealing with wood biomass processing, are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to simulate the steam-enhanced co-gasification of hybrid blends (HB) composed of municipal solid waste (MSW) and urban forest waste (UFW), with torrefaction as pretreatment. Experimental (torrefaction), numerical (gasification thermodynamic equilibrium model), and optimization (response surface methodology) techniques evaluated the gasification process to produce (i) hydrogen-rich gas or (ii) enhanced calorific value gas. The torrefaction (225–275 °C), steam-to-biomass (0.4–1.2 S/B) ratio, and HB proportion (0–50% of MSW) influences were investigated to assess H 2 %, exergy efficiency of H 2 -production (η H 2 ), lower heating value (LHV), cold gas efficiency (CGE), and CO 2 %. The hybrid methodology defined the optimal conditions for 600 °C gasification as (i) 0.9 S/B and an HB comprising 31% MSW and 69% torrefied UFW at 275 °C, presenting an η H 2 of 49%; and (ii) 0.4 S/B and an HB containing 23% MSW and 77% torrefied UFW at 275 °C, showing an LHV of 6126 kJ.Nm−3. [Display omitted] • Urban solid waste valorization by torrefaction and gasification for H 2 production. • Co-gasification of torrefied wood and municipal waste blends for waste mitigation. • Steam-gasification improved the exergy efficiency of H 2 production from residues. • Severe torrefaction enhanced the producer gas' quality and reduced carbon emission. • Excellent correlation (R2 = 0.99) of response surface methodology prediction models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A manufacturing company, which uses obsolete processes and technologies, due to the economic crisis, is evaluating a possible conversion to the energy sector. The paper presents a careful analysis of local resources in the mountain area of Carnia (Italy), identifying the available wood biomass, using Geographic Information System (GIS) instruments. The biomass can be exploited in energy generation plants and represents, a good option with a high margin of profit and takes advantage of the district heating technology. The technical feasibility also used numeric regional cartography to assess the energy needs, while the economic feasibility is highly influenced by local regulations on public incentives, established to reach the environmental goals set by the international treaties. On the other hand, the environmental sustainability of these plants is often positive, even if related to the local context. The consequent reduction of CO2 emissions is relevant, as long as the location of the boiler room is correctly identified in order to optimize the supply chain from the forests to the plant.

The article presents the results of experimental studies of the process of drying a layer of relatively large thickness (up to 100 mm) of woody biomass under conditions of radiation-convective heating. Based on the temperature values recorded in the experiments at the characteristic points of the biomass layer during the drying period, an analysis was made of the influence of the density of the filling of finely dispersed wood (pine shavings, sawdust) on the drying times. It has been established that the compaction of biomass leads to a significant acceleration (by 1.5–2 times, depending on the ambient temperature) of the drying process. A physical model is formulated that describes a complex of heat and mass transfer processes that occur during heating of woody biomass under compaction conditions. It is shown that a 1.7-fold increase in the density of a layer of finely dispersed wood (with an initial thickness of 100 mm) leads to an increase in the layer temperature during the entire drying period by an average of 23%. In order to substantiate the established regularities, an analysis was made of the change in the thermal conductivity of biomass during its compaction using a group of mathematical models of the thermal conductivity of heterogeneous media. The results of the theoretical analysis showed that the increase in the efficiency of biomass drying during its compaction occurs as a result of an increase in the effective thermal conductivity of the layer of crushed woody biomass. The results of the experiments clearly illustrate the possibility of increasing the efficiency of drying dispersed woody biomass without additional costs for optimizing heat and mass transfer processes. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the speedy advancement of wireless communications, electromagnetic wave (EMW) pollution and electromagnetic interference (EMI) are gradually austere, which makes it an urgent need to develop high-performance EMW absorbers and shields. Carbon-based materials are important members of the family of EMW absorbing and shielding materials, due to their satisfactory electrical conductivity, low density, and good corrosion resistance. Especially, wood biomass-derived carbon materials, including carbonized cellulose, lignin and wood monolith, are acclaimed for their rich conductive network, unique porous structure, and effective loading of functional fillers, which promotes high-efficiency EMW absorption and shielding, and provides a new idea for using wood biomass resources in a high-value way. Additionally, due to the high yield of wood biomass, the mass production of carbonized wood biomass-derived EMW absorbers and EMI shields becomes more promising compared with other carbon materials. Hence, relevant studies should be summarized. Meanwhile, the functions of carbon materials need to be clarified and the importance of carbon materials needs to be highlighted. In this review, the roles of wood biomass-derived carbon in various EMW absorbing and shielding materials were emphasized, along with an analysis of related studies. Meanwhile, the main obstacles and the prospects of wood biomass-derived carbon were proposed. [Display omitted] • Clarifying the electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption/shielding mechanism. • Reviewing the main functions of wood biomass-derived carbon in EMW absorbing/shielding. • Discussing future research directions and challenges of wood biomass-derived carbon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relative proportions of different chemical components in wood tissues is one of the underlying factors that control wood properties. These proportions vary within and between woody tissues, and an accurate description of these variations is critical for parameterizing forest biogeochemical budgets and models. White spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) spacing intensities trials in the Petawawa Research Forest, Ontario, Canada, were sampled to evaluate variations in carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and hydrogen (H) concentrations between different tissue types, i.e., bark, cambium, knots, earlywood, latewood, and wood. Samples were freeze-dried and oven-dried to test the impact of the drying methods on these chemical elements. Freeze-dried C (51.14) and H (6.18) concentrations were significantly higher than those of oven-dried C (50.55) and H (6.06). Freeze-dried N (0.18) did not differ from oven-dried N (0.17). The spacing intensities impacted C, H, and N, with C content being higher in wider square spacings (4.3 m and 6.1 m), while the reverse was true for N and H, which exhibited higher content in smaller square spacings (1.2 m and 1.8 m). The results of this study also suggested that when it comes to the content of chemical elements, bark and knots should be treated as separate fuel types, whereas other woody tissues can be aggregated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study develops a reproducible method for estimating the cost-efficient flexibility potential of a local or regional energy system. Future scenarios that achieve ambitious climate targets and estimate the cost-efficient flexibility potential of demonstration sites were defined. Flexible potentials for energy system assessment are upscaled from the demonstration sites in Eskilstuna (Sweden) and Lower Austria (Austria). As heat pumps (HPs) and district heating (DH) are critical for future heat demand, these sites are representative types of DH networks in terms of size and integration with the electricity grid. In both regions a TIMES model is used for energy system optimization, while for upscaling, Eskilstuna uses the building-stock model ECCABS, whereas Lower Austria uses a mixed integer linear programming optimization model, and the BALMOREL power system model. According to the modeling, HPs will dominate Eskilstuna’s heating sector by 2040. In Lower Austria, DH becomes more prevalent, in combination with wood biomass and HPs. These findings are explained by the postulated technological-economic parameters, energy prices, and CO _2 prices. We conclude that future electricity prices will determine future heating systems: either a high share of centralized HPs (if electricity prices are low) or a high share of combined heat-and-power (if electricity prices are high). Large-scale energy storage and biomass can be essential solutions as may deliver increased cost-effectiveness, if available and under certain conditions.

Effectiveness is the prism through which supply chains are defined. Different management methods can be used to measure supply chain effectiveness, such as life cycle assessment or sustainable supply chain management. In order to properly model and manage reverse supply chains for wood biomass, the structure of the supply chains was examined. For this purpose, a correlation analysis of the basic parameters of wood biomass reverse supply chains was carried out. After their identification, the level of mutual correlation was verified using Pearson's correlation coefficient. The coefficient of determination r2 was also verified for the two parameters with the highest degree of interaction - the sales of wood chips and the purchase of wood biomass. To improve the verification, scatter plots were made to further confirm the degree of interaction. As a result of the analysis of the parameter interdependencies and a discussion of the results of other international studies, the parameters were found to be applicable in modelling effective reverse supply chains of wood biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Geodetski Vestnik is the property of Sveza Geodetov Slovenije 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.)

The aim of the study was to investigate the actual axle loads of vehicles used for the transport of sawmill by-products, resulting from the total weight of the transport set (GVW) at different times of the year and depending on the type of sets and transported assortment. Sawmill by-product loads were divided into groups: wood chips, sawdust, slabs and recycled wood. The research was carried out at the recipient of the sawmill by-products as well as at the producer. The GVW was determined on the basis of weighing the entire set on a stationary scale at the premises of the companies. The load on the individual axles of high tonnage truck units was measured using Model DINI ARGEO WWSD portable truck scales with a 3590M309 weighing terminal. Almost 230 transports were analyzed. It was shown that the average GVW is 39.25 t for transport sets with a load of 22.44 t of sawmill by-products with the usage of the semi-trailer capacity of 0.85. For all transport sets, the average load on the individual axles range from 6.72 t (axle 5 in a six-axle truck and trailer-TT) to 10.29 t for axle 2 in a truck and semi-trailer (TST), where the highest occurs on axle 2 of the truck (drive axle). The influence of the type of transport set (TST or TT) and the type of the assortments on the axle load is shown, and the existing correlations are at the level of 0.604–0.669 for axles 3–5 in the TST set. The static axle loads of the transport sets for the sawmill by-products and the distribution of the total weight of the set among the axles are different from those for roundwood transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon foam, an extremely attractive new material type for important fields of application, with low density (0.28 g cm-3 ), low thermal conductivity (0.110 W m-1 K-1 ), relatively high compressive strength (3.5 MPa), high electrical conductivity (29.8 S m-1 ), and very high electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (46 dB) was experimentally made using recycled wood biomass from industrial wood processing and aqueous solution of sucrose. The carbonization was performed by heating at 750 ºC through microwave irradiation technique, the pressed and dried material in the intermediate state being introduced into a SiC crucible with a lid, thermally protected with ceramic fiber, without inert medium. The specific energy consumption was very low (0.785 kWh/kg), unlike the high energy consumption of the usually carbonization stages. The optimal carbon foam specimen was considered suitable for the special application fields (military, aeronautics, construction, transport). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thrust in biofuel production has pushed researchers in finding more of environmentally friendly materials for use as catalyst in the biofuel production process. Commercially available catalyst materials are not sustainable, and they generally incur higher cost of operation. In the present study, locally available native woods species of Manipur, India namely, Yenthou (Arundo donax.L) and Uningthou (Phoebe hainesiana) were exposed at elevated temperature of 400 °C and variable exposure time of 90 and 120 minutes for possible use as catalyst during biofuel production. Muffle furnace has been employed for production of catalyst and characterization techniques such as XRD, FT-IR and SEM with EDX are used. XRD analysis shows diffraction peak corresponding to (0 0 2), (1 0 0) and (1 0 1) of the face centered cubic phase at 28.61°, 28.54° and 30.02° respectively while Scherrer equation shows 29.737 nm as average grain size. FT-IR analysis also shows C=C formation from the samples. The SEM & EDX analysis shows good formation of carbon in the catalyst and the weight % of the components are obtained to be 89.18% and 10.82% for C and O respectively. Transesterification of waste cooking oil at 5% (wt%), 10:1, 75 °C and 60 minutes for catalyst loading rate, alcohol-to-oil ratio, reaction temperature and reaction time respectively shows conversion rate of 87.4±1.3% with reusability of 3 times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood biomass fly ash can contribute to a more sustainable urban infrastructure, but requires efficient recycling strategies. This paper investigates the mechanical properties, durability, and eco-efficiency of non-structural concrete produced with 15% and 30% of portland cement replaced by wood biomass fly ash under combined effects of w/b ratio, ash content, and curing age. Two post-treatment to improve ash reactivity (grinding and grinding followed by re-calcining) were investigated. Concrete series with 15% ash presented higher relative compressive strength than 30% series regardless of the w/b ratio. Concrete mixtures produced with a w/b ratio of 0.35 did not reach the reference compressive strength regardless of the ash content. The ash re-calcining did not improve the concrete durability and mechanical properties. The carbonation increased in blended mixtures, but at acceptable levels. The absorption by capillarity increased overmuch in blended mixtures with re-calcined ash. The energy demand for re-calcining reduced the concrete eco-ecoefficiency. Concrete produced with 30% ash are less eco-efficient than those produced with 15%, except for w/b ratio of 0.35 due to the high cement consumption. These results can support industries to find innovative solutions for a broader wood ash valorization and support the development of a more sustainable urban infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon foam, an extremely attractive new material type for important fields of application, with low density (0.28 g cm-3), low thermal conductivity (0.110 W m-1 K-1), relatively high compressive strength (3.5 MPa), high electrical conductivity (29.8 S m-1), and very high electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (46 dB) was experimentally made using recycled wood biomass from industrial wood processing and aqueous solution of sucrose. The carbonization was performed by heating at 750 ºC through microwave irradiation technique, the pressed and dried material in the intermediate state being introduced into a SiC crucible with a lid, thermally protected with ceramic fiber, without inert medium. The specific energy consumption was very low (0.785 kWh/kg), unlike the high energy consumption of the usually carbonization stages. The optimal carbon foam specimen was considered suitable for the special application fields (military, aeronautics, construction, transport).

Eucalyptus is the main fast-growing tree for biomass production in the tropics, providing resources for pulp and paper industries and bioenergy. The potential productivity of forest sites over an eight-year rotation in Brazil was evaluated by the Physiological Principles in Predicting Growth (3-PG) model for two soils, Acrisols and Arenosols, with high and low water storage, respectively, and distinct productive potential capacity. The model was parameterized by data-sets obtained in bimonthly forest inventories performed in stands with 33, 58 and 89 months-old trees, and edaphic surveys. The average volumetric productivity of wood and biomass of the main stem determined at the 89 months-old stand was 374 m3 ha−1 (177 Mg ha−1) for Acrisols and 272.3 m3 ha−1 (130.0 Mg ha−1) for Arenosols. The estimated volumetric production in the Arenosols had a high mean annual increment up to the age of 58 months, with a significant reduction in growth rates after this time. In Acrisols, high incremental rates in wood volume up to age of 89 months (MAIVW > 50 m3 ha−1 year−1) indicate that, under ideal soil conditions, the cutting cycle may exceed 8 years with no productivity impairment. The parameterized model matched well for forest yield (r2 > 0.9) and dendrometric variables (r2 > 0.78). The expected results of lower productivity in Arenosols occurred only after 58 months, while for Acrisols productivity remained high up to 89 months. The results showed the eucalyptus cycle should be shorter in Arenosols, since the lower cutting cycle can provide higher final productivity, when using the mean annual increment to evaluate productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, depletion of fossil fuels, and a growing population have sparked a search for new and renewable energy sources such as biodiesel. The use of waste or residues as substrates for microbial growth can favor the implementation of a biorefinery concept with reduced environmental footprint. Cyanobacteria constitute microorganisms with enhanced ability to use industrial effluents, wastewaters, forest residues for growth, and concomitant production of added-value compounds. In this study, a recently isolated cyanobacterium strain of Pseudanabaena sp. was cultivated on hydrolysates from pretreated forest biomass (silver birch and Norway spruce), and the production of biodiesel-grade lipids was assessed. Optimizing carbon source concentration and the (C/N) carbon-to-nitrogen ratio resulted in 66.45% w/w lipid content when microalgae were grown on glucose, compared to 62.95% and 63.79% w/w when grown on spruce and birch hydrolysate, respectively. Importantly, the lipid profile was suitable for the production of high-quality biodiesel. The present study demonstrates how this new cyanobacterial strain could be used as a biofactory, converting residual resources into green biofuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are new sustainable and cheap reaction media combining the features of both ionic liquids and organic solvents. They are made up by association of hydrogen‐bond donors and hydrogen‐bond acceptors, and they can promote the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic bonds. Herein the microwave‐assisted treatment of waste wood flours with a DES constituted by choline chloride and oxalic acid to get a cellulosic residue separated from lignin degradation products is reported. The insoluble deposit is characterized by SEM, TGA, DSC, FTIR‐ATR, and 1H‐13C CP/MAS NMR techniques and can be available for further uses such as nanocellulose production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combustion processes of brown coal, wood biomass, cardboard, and their mixtures in an oxidizing atmosphere at a heating rate of 20 K/min were studied within the framework of synchronous thermal analysis. The curves of weight loss and differential scanning calorimetry were obtained to describe the combustion processes of individual fuels and solid fuel mixtures with a weight ratio of 50 : 50. The main process parameters of combustion, such as ignition and burnout temperatures and a maximum rate of reaction were determined using analytical and numerical methods. The combustion indices of the fuels and their mixtures were established, and the kinetic parameters of the test processes were calculated. Based on the differential weight loss data, the nature of interactions between fuel mixture components was determined. The high volatile content of wood sawdust and cardboard affected a decrease in the ignition temperature of the mixtures by 15–18%, as compared to that of brown coal. The burning temperature of a mixture with the addition of wood sawdust decreased by 6.5%, and the addition of cardboard affected an increase in the burning temperature of the mixture by 27%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent time, due to the increasing demand for energy and the need to address environment-related issues, a great deal of focus has been given to alternative sources of energy, which are green, sustainable and safe. This work considers the process optimization and performance evaluation of a downdraft gasifier, suitable for energy generation using wood biomass. The assessment of the performance of the downdraft gasifier was based on the amount of output energy generated as well as the emission characteristics of the output. The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed for the determination of the optimum range of the process parameters that will yield the optimum conversion of the biomass to energy. The optimum process parameters that produced the highest rate of conversion of biomass to energy (2.55 Nm3/kg) during the physical experiments were: temperature (1000 °C), particle size (6.0 mm) and residence time (35 min). The produced gas indicated an appreciable generation of methane gas (10.04 % vol.), but with a significant amount of CO (19.20 % vol.) and CO2 (22.68 % vol.). From the numerical results obtained, the gas yield was observed to increase from 1.86908 Nm3/kg to 2.40324 Nm3/kg as the temperature increased from 800 °C to 1200 °C. The obtained results indicate the feasibility for the production of combustible gases from the developed system using wood chips. It is envisaged that the findings of this work will assist in the development of an alternative and renewable energy source in an effort to meet the growing energy requirements.

[Display omitted] • Shaping a bulk catalyst of bimetallic Fe-Co/NWCA to sustainable water purification. • Fe, Co-coordination on resilient, anisotropic aerogel to ignite redox active sites. • A rapid, reversible and excellent TC removal in the mixed anions and wide pH of 3–11. • It delivers a retention of ∼ 90 % efficiency with a facile regeneration after 4 cycles. • The catalytic mechanism of TC removal is proposed with the aid of DFT simulation. Harnessing renewable low-cost, bulk wood-structured materials with highly porous, anisotropic and compressible properties that fulfills sustainable water purification is imperative yet still challenging to push forward a circular bioeconomy. In this work, a bimetallic Fe-Co implanted, N-doped wood carbon aerogel (Fe-Co/NWCA) is constructed to guarantee the facile regeneration in high-performance catalytic antibiotic decomposition via activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS). A rapid, reversible and excellent tetracycline (TC) elimination performance (∼90% in 12 min) within a wide pH range of 3–11 is achieved by Fe-Co/NWCA-mediated system. Importantly, the as-prepared hydrophilic Fe-Co/NWCA not only delivers a favorable robustness to interfering anions (e.g. , Cl−, H 2 PO 4 − and HCO 3 −), but also presents a superior recyclability with over 90% retention after the fourth cycling operation via a convenient squeezing behavior. Integration of radical quenching experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance demonstrates the participation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) into catalytic TC oxidation, wherein the dominant contributor is 1O 2 followed by O 2 •‾, SO 4 •‾ and •OH. As an important non-radical route, the directly interfacial electron transfer is confirmed by electrochemical measurements and density-functional-theory computations. In the context of activating PMS, the multi-valent Fe, Co-coordinated species function as the redox reactive site to trigger diversiform ROS with accelerated kinetics, while N, O-associated surface defects and unsaturated functional groups (e.g. , −COOH and ketonic C=O) contribute to the 1O 2 formation and electron shuttling. This universal approach paves a critical avenue to manufacture the reactive wood-based aerogels with hierarchical microchannels in the practical pollutant remediation, shedding the valuable insights on multifunctional biomass-water nexus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time, a tandem catalytic material, 5 wt % Pd/NbOPO 4 , was utilized in the depolymerization of wood in supercritical ethanol under hydrogen atmosphere. The experiments were conducted under various conditions, with fresh, and acetone extracted birch. A comprehensive analysis was performed to elucidate the dissolution efficiency and achieved product distribution. The results indicated that with fresh birch, 34 wt % of lignin monomer yield with 84 wt % delignification efficiency were obtained while with extracted wood, 35 wt % of lignin monomer yield with 78 wt % delignification efficiency were achieved. The total lignin monomer content extracted from the fresh birch is composed of 76.9 wt % of dimethoxyphenols and 16.5 wt % with the guaiacol structure. Major lignin monomer product was homosyringaldehyde (61.9 wt %). With extracted wood, 93.2 wt % of dimethoxyphenols (63.6 wt % homosyringaldehyde) and 6.8 wt % of guaiacol-monomers were achieved. It was concluded that the depolymerization occurred via breaking of the ether bonds in lignin, including ether hydrolysis by Lewis acid sites over the solid acid catalyst and with subsequent deoxygenation of monophenols over Pd. In addition, an extraction process was proposed to extract the aromatic fraction from the obtained biocrude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Romania owns 6.592 million hectares, which represents 27% of the territorial area. One inhabitant owns 0.3 hectares of the entire forest fund. Failure to rationally exploit the forest fund can lead to environmental pollution. 11000000 m³/year are cleared annually, of which 0.1 is waste, so 11000 m³/year results. By drying and processing the sawdust, briquettes can be obtained which reduce the pollution of the environment from the point of view an organic fuel. Biomass occupies the largest percentage (47%) of all renewable energy sources. Biomass can serve as an essential alternative for renewable energy production as well as a large investment. The importance of using biomass in the producing of biofuels has signaled the increase of areas cultivated with oily olants (rapeseed). Animal manure is used to produce biofuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Biomass may ignite due to biological oxidation and chemical oxidation. If this phenomenon (spontaneous ignition) is controlled, it would be possible to produce biochar at a lower cost without the need for an external heat resource. We investigated if self-heating could be controlled by using sawdust and bark chips. When sawdust and bark chips were used under controlled conditions, the bark chips temperature increased to the torrefaction temperature. The ash content of bark chips was ~ 2%d.b. higher than that of sawdust; consequently, the inorganic substances contained in the bark chips might affect the self-heating. Self-heating was suppressed when inorganic substances were removed by washing with water. Therefore, the inorganic substances in the biomass might have affected self-heating. The inorganic element contents of the bark chips were measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry before and after washing. The potassium content of the bark chips was reduced remarkably by washing, and there was a possible influence of potassium on self-heating. Finally, the effect of moisture content on self-heating was investigated to obtain stable reactivity. Thus, at a moisture content of 40%w.b., a steady self-heating behavior may be realized.

The article features an experimental study of thermally thin biomass samples (beech wood particles 17×8×6 mm) pyrolysis in a laboratory scale batch reactor. The reactor was a cylindrical steel body with internal diameter of 200 mm and height of 500 mm. The temperature of a lateral surface of the cylinder during the experiment was being kept constant (550 °C) due to electrical heating. The initial loading of the apparatus was about 4 kg with moisture content of about 14 % by weight. During the experiment, the temperature values of the material being pyrolyzed were recorded at two points of the radial coordinate, viz. at the wall of the apparatus and on its axis. A one-dimensional numerical model of the nonstationary process of biomass conversion (heat and mass transfer in combination with the Avrami – Erofeev reaction model) has been proposed and verified. The reactor is represented as a set of a countable number of cylindrical layers, considered as cells (representative meso-volumes) with an ideal mixing of the properties inside. The cylindrical surfaces that form cells are considered to be isothermal. The size of the cells is chosen to be sufficiently large in comparison with the individual particles of the layer, which makes it possible to consider the temperature field inside the cell volume as monotonic. The evolution of the temperature distribution over the radius of a cylindrical reactor is determined on the basis of a difference approximation of the process of non-stationary thermal conductivity. The calculated forecasts and experimental data showed a good agreement, which indicates the adequacy of the developed mathematical model of pyrolysis and makes it possible to recommend it for engineering calculations of biomass pyrolysis. This model can also be useful in improving the understanding of the basic physical and chemical processes occurring in the conditions of biomass pyrolysis.

In this work, biochar (BC), a co-product of the fixed bed gasification process of Pinus patula wood pellets (PL) and chips (CH), was characterized as soil amendment. The physicochemical properties and the mineral content of the pellet’s biochar (PL-BC) and the chips biochar (CH-BC) were analyzed following the NTC5167 Colombian technical standard. The BET surface area values of the BCs were 367,33 m2/g and 233,56 m2/g for the PL-BC and the CH-BC, respectively, and the pore volume was 0,20 cm3/g for the PL-BC and 0,13 cm3/g for the CH-BC. These characteristics favor the increase of the BCs water-holding capacity (WHC). Properties such as the pH (8,8-9,0), the WHC (219 % - 186,4 %), the total organic carbon (33,8 % - 23,9 %), the metalloid presence (Ca, Mg, K, Mn, Al, Si, and Fe), and the ash (1,92 wt% - 2,74 wt%) and moisture contents (11,13 wt% - 11,63 wt%) for both BCs were found to be within the limits set by the NTC5167 standard. Furthermore, the presence of micro and macronutrients, such as Fe and phosphorus (P), and the alkaline pH, make possible the use of these BCs as amendments for acid soils.

Two of the most commonly used solid biomass sources for fuel are wood chips and wood pellets. The calorific value and the moisture content of those biofuels determine the efficiency of the CHP and the biorefinery plants. Therefore, with the increased shift towards a biobased economy, the biomass cost and its physical properties must be precisely determined. Most of the current standards are lacking and provide neither enough details about the issues caused by the biomass heterogeneity nor with the variation in experimental practice. Phenomena such as data scattering, poor repeatability and wide uncertainty, are mostly observed during the measurements of the calorific value and the moisture content. To overcome such issues, an interlaboratory comparison between three national metrology institutes using bomb calorimetry has taken place. The comparison helped to identify the root causes behind the poor reproducibility of the wood samples. Factors such as the equilibrium moisture content of the biomass, the pellet mass, the applied pressure to form the pellet, the handling techniques and the determination errors are highlighted and analyzed. The final results paved the way to provide an enhanced detailed experimental practice where the repeatability and reproducibility have been strongly improved. Moreover, the detailed uncertainty sources and calculations are presented. It has been found that by fulfilling the recommended approach the measurement repeatability improved by up to 50–80%, while the final uncertainty improved by 10–30%. This enhancement leads to a maximum relative expanded uncertainty of around ±1% (coverage factor of k = 2 and a confidence level of 95%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Models for carbon (C) stock assessment are widely applied in forest science, and mainly differ according to the scale of application, the required data, and the objectives for their implementation. This work presents the methodology implemented into the second version of an empirical model, WOody biomass and Carbon ASsessment (WOCAS v2), that uses the data of forest management plans (FMP) to calculate the mass of wood (t∙year−1 of dry matter, DM) and C (t∙year−1 C) at the stand level and from the year in which the FMPs came into force until a predefined reference year, for an Italian Case Study Area of Central Alps. The mass of wood and C are computed for (i) aboveground wood biomass (AWB), (ii) belowground wood biomass (BWB), and (iii) dead organic matter (DOM; i.e., dead wood and litter) according to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines. WOCAS v2 was tested for the first time for 2019 public forest stands (3.67 × 104 ha) of Valle Camonica for the period 1984–2018. Results showed that, in 2018 and at the landscape level, the total living wood biomass (TLB; AWB + BWB) reached 5.35∙106 t DM. TLB yield (t·ha−1·year−1 DM) ranged from 44.72 ± 44.42 t·ha−1·year−1 DM (1984) to 145.49 ± 70.76 t·ha−1·year−1 DM (2018). In the same year, DOM amounted to 6.12∙105 t DM, ranging from 8.28 ± 7.79 t·ha−1·year−1 DM (1989) to 17.11 ± 12.03 t·ha−1·year−1 DM (2015). The total weighted C yield, computed as the sum of C yield in AWB, BWB, and DOM of each stand, ranged from 26.63 ± 26.80 t∙ha−1∙year−1 C (1984) to 80.28 ± 41.32 t∙ha−1∙year−1 C (2018). The results demonstrated that FMPs data can be useful in estimating wood and C mass at the stand level and their variation over space and time for AWB as well as for BWB and DOM, which are not considered in the FMPs. This can represent a starting point for defining sustainable forest management policies and practices to improve forest vitality and conservation in compatibility with ecosystem services provision. Moreover, as the model is based on a standardized methodology it can be applied in any other forest area where the same input data are made available; this may constitute the basis for further applications on a broader scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sluggish reaction kinetics in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is one of the bottlenecks in next generation energy conversion systems. The integrated design strategy based on simultaneously constructing active sites and forming porous carbon network will address this concern by facilitating charge exchange, mass transfer and electron transportation. In this article, a three-dimensional integrated air electrode (Co-N@ACS) containing Co-N sites and hierarchically porous carbon is fabricated via growth of Co-doped ZIF-8 in activated wood substrate and synchronous pyrolysis. The optimized integrated air electrodes exhibit ultrahigh ORR activity (E1/2 = 0.86 V). Co-N sites provide outstanding ORR activity, and hierarchically porous structures facilitate oxygen diffusion and electrolyte penetration. Aqueous zinc-air battery assembled with Co-N@ACS possesses open-circuit voltage of 1.46 V, peak power density of 155 mW·cm−2 and long-term stability of 540 cycles (180 h). Solid-state zinc-air battery assembled with Co-N@ACS shows open-circuit voltage up to 1.36 V and low charge-discharge voltage gap (0.8 V). This design strategy paves the way for the conversion of wood biomass to integrated air electrodes and catalytically active carbon for next generation energy storage and conversion devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: Water productivity of 3-year-old Paulownia tomentosa x fortunei (Shan Tong) trees in a plantation at Lake Issyk-Kul (Kyrgyzstan) ranged between 4.3 and 8.0 g l−1 over the vegetation period 2019. Central Asia is a region where forests are naturally scarce and additionally are under high anthropogenic pressure due to an unmet demand for timber and fuelwood. Cultivation of fast-growing trees as a means to satisfy this need may, therefore, be instrumental to forest conservation and/or restoration efforts. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in Paulownia spp. as agroforestry or plantation tree. Paulownia is a deciduous tree genus of Chinese origin that is valued for its fast growth and light, yet sturdy wood, among other characteristics. This study investigated the water consumption, biomass production, and water productivity of Paulownia tomentosa x fortunei (trade name: Shan Tong) in a plantation setting on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul (Kyrgyzstan) over the course of the vegetation period 2019. The method employed was Granier's thermal dissipation probe for measuring sap flow in trees. Estimated trunk biomass production per tree and season ranged from 1.52 to 3.41 kg, and the trees were found to consume between 433 and 613 l of water in total over the growing season. Water productivity, the amount of exploitable stem biomass produced per litre of water input, consequently ranged between 4.3 and 8.0 g l−1. As numerous studies suggest that the thermal dissipation method underestimates tree water consumption to varying degrees, these values likely represent the upper range of the species' water productivity. A literature review shows its water productivity to be higher than that of regionally employed tree species such as Populus euphratica or Elaeagnus angustifolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]