Granulometric distribution in timber byproducts for potential use in pellets and briquettes

Abstract

The granulometric distributions of sawdust, bark, and shavings from Pinus leiophylla, P. montezumae and P. pseudostrobus and bark-wood mixture of Quercus candicans, Q. laurina and Q. rugosa were analyzed. To determine particle size distribution, the standard UNE-EN 15149-2 and the UNE-EN 15149-1 were used. The results showed that 76.91 % of sawdust particles, 25.49 % of bark, 16.89 % of shavings and 61.67 % of bark-sawdust could be used in the production of pellets. The percentages for the production of briquettes would be 49.60 % bark, 56.29 % shavings, and 0.77 % bark-wood. At an industrial level, 58.67 % of the sawmill byproducts, 66.82 % from Community Secondary Materials Shop (TSC) and 58.45 % from the External Secondary Materials Shop (TSE) are suitable for use in pellets, while 29.90 % of the sawmill byproducts, 19.70 % of the byproducts from the TSC and 28.14 % from those of the TSE were suitable for use in briquettes. The particle size of these products differed, but values were similar between species and in power generation industries. Most sawdust particles may be used to produce pellets, while those of the bark, bark-wood and shavings may be transformed into briquettes.