Wastes from the reconstituted wood panels industry as a source for energy production

Planted forests provide wood for several sectors and the panel industry is the fourth largest consumer. The increasing competitiveness of the market, the growth of energy demand, the search for cost reduction and the growing concern for the preservation of the environment, means that companies use the waste generated in their production process as a fuel seeking sustainability in the industrial process. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the energetic properties of these types of residues generated in a panel industry in Paraná, such as: bark, powder, fiber, particle, chip, sludge and tailings. For these biomass residues the physicochemical and energy properties were determined and the greenhouse gas emissions calculated. The oxides present in the ashes of the samples were characterized by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. It was possible to verify the tendency of formation of slag and incrustations besides the determination of the melting temperature range of the ashes. In addition to the individualized residues, compositions were analyzed among the residues to evaluate energy efficiency. The results of the evaluations showed that the waste generated in the panel industry can be used as an energy source; the increase in biomass consumption of the process waste, powder and fiber groups improves energy efficiency. (author)