Fossil fuels are being replaced by clean energy sources. Lignocellulosic biomass is considered an eco-friendly alternative, as it is a renewable raw material with high energy potential. In this context, the aim of this study was to determine the biomass energy properties of three bamboo species and mate. Thus, three species of bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris Var. Vittata, Dendrocalamus asper and Phyllostachys aurea) and Ilex paraguariensis co-products (branches and sticks) were performed. The particle size, basic density, moisture content volatiles content, ashes content, fix carbon, gross and net calorific value and energy density of these biomasses were evaluated. The biomasses analyzed here were considered suitable for energy purposes, in general, these presented volatile content between 75 and 85 %, fixed carbon content between 15 and 25% and ash content close to 1%. Average fix carbon content of all analyzed biomass was 16.13%. Ash content of Phyllostachys aurea, branches of Ilex paraguariensis and Dendrocalamus asper presented lower values, average of 1.63%. Bambusa vulgaris and Ilex paraguariensis sticks presented higher values, average of 2.65%. Phyllostachys aurea presented gross calorific value higher than, average of 19.35 MJ kg− 1. Bambusa vulgaris, Dendrocalamus asper, Ilex paraguariensis branches and sticks presented statistically equal values. Bambusa vulgaris, Dendrocalamus asper, Phyllostachys aurea showed net calorific value higher to the other analyzed materials and did not present statistical difference. Basic energy density of Phyllostachys aurea was higher to bamboo species. Ilex paraguariensis showed the lowest values with no statistical difference for branches and sticks. Article highlights Knowledge of biomass properties enables the use of residues in bioenergy production as an eco-friendly alternative. Bamboo and Mate co-products have desirable characteristics and potential to produce bioenergy. The energetic performance of bamboo biomass was superior when compared to the branches and sticks of Ilex paraguariensis.

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Hardness has been considered to be one of the most important mechanical indicators of material quality. Here, an automated portable hardness tester was used to evaluate dynamic hardness (DH) of vegetable charcoal for industrial application, correlating these results to vegetal material and final temperature of carbonization. Wood specimens from nine vegetal materials were pyrolysed at final temperatures of 300, 450, 600, and 750 °C. A total of 45 wood specimens were used as the sample control. DH of wood and charcoal was determined by an automated portable hardness tester. Wood specimen DH varied from 12.9 to 44 MPa. Wood density (ρ) presented a high positive correlation (r = 0.94) with wood DH. The heavier wood species (ρ = 988.6 kg m–3) is on average 1.93 times denser than the lighter wood (ρ = 512 kg m–3), while the harder wood (DH = 44 MPa) is 3.41 times harder than the softer material (DH = 12.9 MPa). Charcoal specimen DH significantly varies with the final temperature of carbonization: DH was 10.89 MPa for charcoal specimens produced at 300 °C, 3.05 MPa for charcoal produced at 450 °C, 3.44 MPa for charcoal produced at 600 °C, and 4.59 MPa for charcoal produced at 750 °C. Hardness variation between vegetal materials also decreases with the final temperature of carbonization. These findings are important, especially for industries that use the Eucalyptus charcoal as a reducing agent and supporting material in blast furnaces for producing “green steel”. In this industrial segment, a homogeneous product is necessary and the control of the characteristics of the raw material becomes essential.

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Residual biomass from forest harvesting consists of a mixture of wood, bark, leaves and needles that are often used to generate energy. In addition, this biomass can remain stored in the field for up to six months, which can affect its physical and energy properties. The pelleting process can be an alternative to improve the energy properties, transport and storage of this biofuel, allowing companies to better manage these resources. Thus, the effect of storage time in the field of the harvesting residual biomass of pine and eucalyptus on the properties of its pellets were evaluated. The results show that there is little influence of the storage time on the energy properties and there is a tendency to increase the physical and mechanical properties of the pellets produced from biomass with longer storage time in the field. We show that benefits can be obtained by producing pellets with forest harvest residues, even if they contain a non-woody fraction and regardless of the storage time in the field.