Storage of whole-tree chips from high-density energy plantations of Eucalyptus in Brazil

In this paper, the drying of whole-tree chip (WTC) storage from young Eucalyptus plantation managed at short-rotation coppice in Brazil was studies. The biomass was converted from high-density energy plantations of Eucalyptus grandis at 2 years old into four piles. Wood chip particles had 5, 15, and 30 mm length were disposed on a paved surface to evaluate the effect on the chip drying. An additional covered pile (30-mm wood chip) was installed to evaluate the effect of coverage condition. The non-ventilated and uncovered piles were not affected by WTC length, and the final moisture content (MC) was 48.4-53.5% and temperature inside the piles (storage temperature) was approximately 36 degrees C. However, the coverage showed beneficial effect on drying wood chip process, collaborating to keep the MC lower than 35%, conventionally recommended for energy purposes. Among storage systems studied, the higher daily moisture content was assigned to covered pile, about 0.197% day(-1) during the first 30 days. This paper can be used as a reference for further studies with wood chip pile storage at tropical conditions. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.