Effect of tree-age on calorific value and other fuel properties of Eucalyptus hybrid

Abstract

For determining the effect of tree-age on the fuel properties of Eucalyptus hybrid, the variability in basic density, calorific value, proximate and ultimate parameters of 2–6 years old trees and mature trees (20-year-old), grown under short rotation forestry regime, were measured and analyzed. Results show that there was no significant variation in the basic density of wood for 2–6 year-old Eucalyptus hybrid, with average value of 0.55–0.58 g·cm⁻³; the calorific value of mature trees was higher than that of lower age trees, but the ash content was much higher in lower age trees compared to mature trees. No particular trend was observed for volatile matter content and the fixed carbon content with tree-age. In conclusion, the fuel properties of mature tree were marginally better than trees of lower age.

Keywords

Calorific value / Eucalyptus hybrid / fuel properties

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