A Consideration of Forest Residues in Biomass for Bioenergy

Abstract

With the large-scale destruction of natural forest resources and increasing interest in the environment in recent years, there is an increasing interest in collecting and evaluating secondary forest residues and waste (biomass). In this context, woody residues/wastes that occurred during harvesting became an interesting point of energy production. Forest residues are biomass feedstock that can be used for bioenergy production. They are the byproducts of forest harvesting and wood product manufacturing, including branches, tops, and other woody debris. After forest harvesting practices, those low-quality sources (i.e., barks, cones, thin diameter wood materials, branches) mainly stayed on the forest floors. Those low quality sources that accumulate on the forest floor, can lead to the expansion and acceleration of forest fires. There have been numerous studies conducted to utilize those sources for value-added products, mainly energy production. Those biomass sources could be used in energy production as a cost-effective benefit for them.