See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/266911262

Heat Value of Four Hardwood Species from Sudan

Article · January 2012

CITATIONS READS
18 880

1 author:

Tarig Osman Khider

University of Bahri
95 PUBLICATIONS   498 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

editing and reviewing View project

pulp and paper View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Tarig Osman Khider on 15 October 2014.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 5
J OURNAL OF FOREST PRODUCTS & INDUSTRIES, 2012, 1(2), 5-9

Heat Value of Four Hardwood Species from

Sudan
Tarig O. Khider*1 and Osman T. Elsaki2
1
University of Bahri-College of Applied and industrial sciences, Khartoum Sudan
E-mail: [email protected]
2
Institute of Technological Research, NCR, Khartoum, Sudan
E-mail: [email protected]
(Received October 15, 2012; Accepted October 31, 2012)

 status. Energy is generally derived either through direct

Abstract— Four hard woods species namely Acacia mellifera, combustion or gasification [8]. Wood charcoal is a porous
Acacia senegal, Eucalyptus tereticornis and Moringa oleifera were carbon material, with a heterogeneous surface and a
studied for their suitability for production of fuel wood and disorganized pore structure susceptible of change by adequate
charcoal, their heat value were obtained range between 17386-
thermal treatments to be used as adsorbent [9]. The renewed
19309 KJKg-1 with basic density of 226.3-728 Kg m-3, a regression
model for calculation of heat values from chemical components of
interest in wood fuel is being driven largely by economic and
wood was established and compared with measured heat values. environmental concerns – wood fuel is increasingly price
Holocellulose was positively and significantly correlated with heat competitive with fossil fuel alternatives and the environmental
value while ash was negatively correlated. benefits of wood fuel are now being recognized and valued.
The production and use of wood fuel provides social benefits
too, including the creation of additional employment,
Index Terms— Acacia mellifera, Acacia senegal, Eucalyptus especially in rural areas [10]. The higher heating value of
tereticornis, Moringa oleifera, Heat value, Basic density, Chemical wood was correlated with lignin and extractive contents. There
components was a highly significant linear correlation between the higher
heating value of the extractive-free wood and lignin content
[11] Analysis and modeling of combustion in stoves, furnaces,
I. INTRODUCTION boilers and industrial processes requires adequate knowledge
of wood properties. Detailed computer modeling of
S udan has diverse climate conditions and different tree
species with multi-uses. Acacia mellifera (Kitir) is
indigenous hardwood species, wide-spread in Africa
combustion processes requires accurate property values, and
these properties are not generally available in one reference
occurring in Egypt, Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Angola, Kenya, source [12].
Uganda and Tanzania, Sahel East of Niger River to Southern The objectives of the present work are: to indicate the
Arabian Peninsula, Eastern and Southern Africa. It is a suitability of wood of studied species for production of fuel
resprouting multi-stemmed shrub with an average height of 75 wood and charcoal and to predict the heat value with a
cm [1 and 2]. Acacia senegal is distributed in all countries of regression model derived from chemical components of the
Central Africa, extends to Oman, Pakistan and India. Sudan wood.
has two main areas of distribution, on stabilized sand with rain
fall 280-450 mm and on the dark cracking clays [3 and 4]. II. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Moringa oleifera originated from Arabia and India [5], The Raw material used on the present study was wood from
distributed natively to sub-Himalayan tracts of India, Pakistan, four species, two indigenous species ( Acacia mellifera and
Bangladesh and Afghanistan [3]. Eucalyptus tereticornis Acacia senegal) and two exotic species ( Moringa oleifera
originated from eastern side of Australia and New Guinea with and Eucalyptus tereticornis) were grown in Blue Nile state
rain fall 510-1520mm [3]. The most important sources of fuel, south east Sudan, all with the same age nine years old, four
which are the necessities for human kind, are fuel wood trees of each species were randomly selected according to
(charcoal and firewood), petroleum and peat. Of these, wood TAPPI standards [13 and 14] further felled, delimbed and
makes an outstanding fuel as it is 99% flammable if crossed cut into log of 100 cm length, the logs were sawn into
completely dry. It is the cheapest, the most suitable and discs of about 2.5 cm thickness for chemical analysis and heat
accessible energy source in many rural areas [6 and 7]. Woody value determination. The average height and diameter were
biomass is a widely-used and favorable material for energy shown in table 1.
production due to its carbon neutral

* corresponding author
 6
J OURNAL OF FOREST PRODUCTS & INDUSTRIES, 2012, 1(2), 5-9

Table 1
Heights and diameters of Acacia mellifera, Acacia Senegal, Eucalyptus tereticornis and Moringa oleifera.

Species Local name Height range Average height Diameter range Average diameter
(meters) (Centimeters)
Acacia mellifera Kitter 7-7.7 7.3 7.5- 8 7.7
Acacia senegal Hashab 7.5-9 8.3 7.5-8.7 7.8
Moringa oleifera Elrawag 6-7.5 6.8 16-18 17
Eucalyptus tereticornis Ban 8-10 9 11-14 12.5

The average basic density of four studied species was The chemical composition of four studied species was
determined as oven-dry mass/ green volume obtained determined according to TAPPI standard Test methods (T
according to B.S.373 [15]. Ten specimens were soaked in 204-cm-97 for solvents extractives, T207-cm99 for water
water until saturation; the green volume was determined by solubility, T211-om- 93 for ash, T212-om-98 for 1% NaOH
displacement of water in a graduated constant mass at 105 0C. extractives, T222-om-02 for lignin and T223-cm-01 for
The average basic density was calculated according to the Pentosans).while Kurchner –Hoffer cellulose was measured
following equation according to [16]. Meal was prepared using star mill with
Basic density, Kgm-3 = Oven-dry mass/ green (soaked) volume standard sieve according to TAPPI standard (T11- wd-79).
Bark to wood ratio by volume was determined by measuring
the girth of four discs for each species with and without bark III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
and was calculated as
Bark-to-wood-ratio by volume= 1- b2/ a2 The average values for basic density of Acacia senegal,
Where a = the average girth of the discs including bark Acacia mellifera and Eucalyptus tereticornis were 728, 703
B= the average girth of the discs without bark and 673 kgm-3 respectively (Table 2) classify them as high –
The bark –to- wood ratio by mass was measured on oven dry density woods according to Bin (1970) classification [17],
basis with and without bark while Moringa oleifera could be classified as low density
The heat value of wood was determined with a Krocher wood (226K gm-3) as a result of fast growth and presence of a
oxygen bomb calorimeter, samples of known moisture content large amount of parenchyma cells. The usual density range for
were molded into a pellet with fuse wire inside, weighed and commercial pulp wood is 350-650Kg m-3 [18].
burnt in the calorimeter. The temperature was recorded at 15
sec. intervals until it stabilized, then at one –minute intervals The average bark – to wood ratios by mass (Table 2) for
until five minutes after maximum temperature was reached. Moringa oleifera and Acacia senegal were moderately high
Each experiment was carried out three times. The heat (19 and 16.2% respectively), but for Acacia mellifera and
transferred to the calorimeter was calculated as follows Eucalyptus tereticornis (13.1 and 10.8% respectively) were in
Q= (Mw+ mw+ q)t, cal the normal range. The average bark-to- wood ratios by volume
Where: for A. senegal, A. mellifera and Moringa oleifera were
Mw=mass of water in calorimeter, g moderately high for commercial woods (20.1, 16.2 and 15.9%
mw =mass of water in bomb, g respectively) and in the normal range for Eucalyptus
q= mass equivalent of calorimeter, g tereticornis (11.9)
t= true temperature rise, corrected for heat loss obtained from
the group of temperature rise, The average gross heat of combustion (Calorific value) for
The heat generated was calculated as each of species studied and measured with oxygen bomb was
Q= MfH+ Mf. hf+ 40Mf, cal given in Table (3). It was to be found in the normal range for
Where: tropical hardwoods for Acacia mellifera, Acacia senegal and
Mf= mass of wood, g Eucalyptus tereticornis while for Moringa oleifera it was
mf= mass of fuse wire burnt, g lower with its lower density. Acacia senegal and Acacia
H= higher calorific value of the wood,cal/g mellifera heat values were more or less similar which was
hf= heat of fusion of fuse wire, cal/g supported further by their chemical composition (Table 4).
The heat value for Eucalyptus tereticornis was lower
compared to Acacias. These differences might be due to the
The higher heat value of the wood, H, was calculated by higher lignin content of both Acacia senegal and Acacia
equating the heat transferred with the heat generated and then mellifera, while for Moringa oleifera it might be attributed to
transferred into KJ Kg-1 the SI units (cal g-1 = 4.1868 KJ Kg-1) the high ash content and low density of the wood.
 7
J OURNAL OF FOREST PRODUCTS & INDUSTRIES, 2012, 1(2), 5-9

The effect of the chemical composition of wood on its heat Where

value was studied by means of regression analysis on the base HV= Heat value of wood, kJ kg-1
of the data for species studied and a number of other Sudanese Ash= Ash content, %
hardwoods under the same conditions. A regression model was H. H2O= Hot water solubles
obtained and correlations between heat value and chemical AB= Alcohol- benzene extractives
composition were established Lig= Lignin content free of ash, %
HV= 18803-515 Ash- 120H.H2O + 155AB + 70 Lig- 0.5 Hol Hol= Holocellulose, %

Table 2
Physical properties of Acacia mellifera, Acacia Senegal, Eucalyptus tereticornis and Moringa oleifera

Species Acacia mellifera Acacia senegal Eucalyptus tereticornis Moringa oleifera

Properties X ±SD X ± SD X ±SD X ±SD

Basic density*, Kgm-3 703 25.8 728 27.8 673 28.4 226.3 11.4
Bark-to-wood ratio by mass,% 13.1 2.6 16.2 0.9 10.8 1.8 19 1.6
Bark –to-wood ratio by volume, % 16.2 0.9 20.1 2.4 11.9 3.0 15.9 1.6
*at 12% moisture content
X- Average value
± SD – Standard deviation

Table 3
Measured and calculated gross heat values for Acacia mellifera, Acacia senegal, Eucalyptus tereticornis and Moringa oleifera

Wood species Gross Heat value, KJKg-1

Measured Calculated
Acacia mellifera 19188 19117
Acacia senegal 19309 19097
Eucalyptus tereticornis 18773 19485
Moringa oleifera 17386 17515

Table 4
Chemical component of Acacia mellifera, Acacia Senegal, Eucalyptus tereticornis and Moringa oleifera from Sudan

Chemical component Acacia mellifera Acacia senegal Eucalyptus tereticornis Moringa oleifera
Ash 1.9 1.9 1.3 4.6
Total silica 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.4
Solubility in:
Hot water 5.7 5.9 4.0 9.3
Alcohol 4.1 3.3 4.1 3.6
Alcohol-benzene (1:2) 3.0 2.9 2.2 3.0
1% NaOH 14.5 16.4 18.8 18.6
Kurschner-Hoffer Cellulose 51.5 47.8 45.1 50.9
Holocellulose 74.8 67.7 70.9 68.5
Alfa-cellulose 50.8 45.7 40.0 42.6
Pentosans 14.8 19.6 22.5 14.4
Lignin 23.3 22.2 21.8 24.9
Total extractives 7.0 8.1 6.4 9.2
Cellulose/ lignin ratio 2.2 2.2 2.1 2.1

The regression coefficients for predicting variables as well as hardwood studied and their heat values. The Ash content is
the t-ratio, standard deviations and probabilities obtained were highly and negatively correlated with Holocellulose and heat
given in Table 5. The correlation matrix was given in table 6 value having a correlation coefficients of -0.676 and -0.756
showed the relationship between the chemical components of respectively, and lower negative correlation (-0.112) with
 8
J OURNAL OF FOREST PRODUCTS & INDUSTRIES, 2012, 1(2), 5-9

alcohol benzene solubles content, it was positively correlated with the hot water soluble (0.365).

Table 5
Regression analysis of the data from heat value and chemical composition of wood.

Predictor Regression coefficient Standard deviation t-ratio Probability

Ash,% -514.7 219.2 -2.35 0.043
Hot water solubles, % -119.58 79.83 -1.5 0.168
Alcohol-benzene solubles, % 154.7 85.1 1.82 0.102
Lignin, % 69.9 68.8 1.02 0.336
Hollocellulose, % -0.47 36.27 -0.01 0.990

The hot water solubles content was negatively correlated with the other hand it was negatively correlated with lignin content
heat value. Holocellulose and lignin contents (-0.514, -0.228 with correlation coefficient -0.478. The lignin content has
and -0.189, respectively) but it was positively correlated negative correlation with heat value and Holocellulose with
(0.326) with alcohol-benzene solubles content. Alcohol- correlation of -0.243and -0.246, respectively. Holocellulose
benzene solubles content has low positive correlation with heat has a positive correlation with heat value with a correlation
value and Holocellulose (0.228 and 0.163, respectively). On coefficient of 0.564.

Table 6
Correlation matrix for the chemical components and heat value of wood

Ash H.H20 AB Lig Hol HV

Ash 1
H.H20 0.365 1
AB -0.112 0.326 1
Lig 0.524 -0.189 -0.478 1
Hol -0.676 -0.228 0.163 -0.246 1
HV -0.756 -0.514 0.228 -0.243 0.564 1
Ash= ash, %
H.H20= hot water solubles, %
AB= alcohol- benzene solubles, %
Lig= Lignin free of ash, %
Hol= Holocellulose, %
HV= heat value, KJ Kg-1
dependence on fossil fuels and also reducing our CO2
IV. CONCLUSIONS emissions.
The heat value of the four species studied, Acacia mellifera,
Acacia senegal, Eucalyptus tereticornis and Moringa oleifera REFERENCES
is positively and significantly affected by their basic densities 1- Khider, T.O. Omer, S.H and Elzaki, O. T. 2012. Pulping and
and can be predicted directly from their chemical composition Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) Bleaching of Acacia mellifera
using the model obtained while the ash, Holocellulose and from Sudan. World Applied Sciences Journal, 16 (9): 1256-
1261.
lignin contents affect the heat value most significantly, the heat
2- Katrin M. , W, Moustakas, A. and Wiegand, K. 2005. Big is
values obtained of Acacia mellifera, Acacia senegal and
not better: small Acacia mellifera shrubs are more vital after
Eucalyptus tereticornis indicted that wood of these species
fire. African Journal of Ecology, 43, 131–136.
could successfully utilized as fuel wood or charcoal , while 3- Booth, F and Wickens, G. 1988. Non-Timber Uses of Selected
Moringa oleifera does not seem economically suitable for fuel Arid Zone Trees and Shrubs in Africa. FAO, Rome, 176pp.
wood and charcoal making. This is important for rational and 4- Badi, K. Elhouri, A. and Bayoumi, A. 1989. The Forests of the
complete utilization of the logging residues. Finally wood Sudan. NCR press, Khartoum 184pp.
fuels are still the principal energy source for a large proportion 5- Von Maydell, H.J. 1986. Trees and Shrubs of the Sahel. Their
of Sudan’s population Characteristics and Uses. Weckersheim, 595pp.
6- Bahru1, T. Asfaw, Z. and Demissew, S. 2012. Indigenous
especially in rural areas. Effective management of the forests knowledge on fuel wood (charcoal and/or firewood) plant
in these areas will enhance biodiversity and increase the species used by the local people in and around the semi-arid
quantity of managed woodland which supports jobs in the Awash National Park, Ethiopia. Journal of Ecology and the
forestry industry. Using firewood can radically diminish our Natural Environment Vol. 4(5), pp. 141-149.
 9
J OURNAL OF FOREST PRODUCTS & INDUSTRIES, 2012, 1(2), 5-9

7- . Shen, D. K Gu, S.. Luo, K. H and. Bridgwater, A. V. 2009. 14- . Elsaki O.T Otuk, S and. Khider, T.O. 2012. Sulfur-Free
Analysis of Wood Structural Changes under Thermal Radiation. Pulping Of Crateva Adansonii From Sudan. Journal of Forest
Energy & Fuels 23, 1081–1088. Products and Industries ,1(1), : 23-26
8- Doherty, A. E. Walsh1, Kevin P. McDonnell 2012. The 15- British standards, 1957. The British standards of testing small
Direct Use of Post Processing Wood Dust in Gas Turbines. Clear Specimens of Timber B.S 373. British Standard Institute,
Journal of Sustainable Bio-energy Systems, 2:60-64. London.
9- .Pastor-Villegas, J.M. Rodrıguez, M J.F. Pastor-Valle, M. 16- Obolenskaya, A.V., V.P. Tshegolov, G.I. Akim, N.C. Kossoviz
2007. Changes in commercial wood charcoals by thermal and N.L. Emelyannova, 1965. Practitcheshie Raboti po Himii
treatments. Journal of. Analytical Applied Pyrolysis 80 :507– Drevesinii Tzellulozi. Moscow, Lesporm. (In Russian).
514. 17- Bin, P.T., 1970. Present status of pulping and papermaking
10- Healion, K. 2002. Wood as a Renewable Source of Energy, research with special reference to possible utilization of tropical
Socio-Economic Aspects of Forestry No. 1. hardwoods. In Proceedings of The Pan-Malaysian Forestry
11- White, H.R. 2007. Effect of Lignin content and Extractives on Conference, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Higher Heating Value of Wood. Wood and Fiber Science,
Volume 19(4): 446-452. 18- Casey, J. (1980). Pulp and Paper Chemistry and Chemical
12- Ragland, K. W. Aerts D. J. 1991. Properties of Wood for Technology vol.1. 2nd ed. Interscience Publications, NY, 820 pp.
Combustion Analysis. Bioresource Technology 37 : 161-168.

13- Tappi, 2002. TAPPI Test Methods TAPPI Press, Atlanta.

View publication stats