Assessment of fuel quality changes during storage of biofibre and its effect on cost

Abstract

Bioenergy, energy produced from renewable biomass, can potentially replace fossil fuels and create employment in northwestern Ontario. However, the procurement of biomass for energy production can be uneconomical due to high moisture content, low thermal value and low energy density. Studies in Europe have shown that biomass can be stored in the field to improve the fuel quality. Logging residues stored in various forms was investigated to gain an understanding of the effect of storage method and duration on the fuel quality. The fuel qualities assessed were moisture content (MC), thermal value and ash content. Also a case study is presented with information on cost of processing and transporting salvaged wildfire burnt biomass, and the net energy balance of the entire operation.