FUEL PROPERTIES OF SHORT-ROTATION HARDWOOD COPPICE SPROUTS.

Biomass fuel properties (moisture content, specific gravity, calorific value, ash content, percentage volatiles and fixed carbon) were analysed for three-year-old coppice sprouts of six short-rotation intensively cultured hardwoods. Specific gravity and gross calorific value were lower than reported mesurement for mature wood. Mean specific gravity was 0. 395, and mean calorific value 18. 0 MJ/kg (of oven-dry wood) among species and tree constituents. Volatile percentage in these juvenile sprouts (at 89. 36% for stemwood) was 10-12% higher then that for mature hardwoods. This highlights the need for efficient secondary combustion of gaseous products. Anhydrous calorific values varied little over the range of species tested.