Assessment of the energy utilization of industrial residual wood in the context of isolated geographical regions

Abstract

This study assesses the energy utilization of residual wood biomass generated by sawmills and cabinetmaking workshops in Quibdó, Colombia. Through a combination of geospatial analysis, biomass quantification, and physicochemical characterization, an annual availability of 1177 tons of industrial wood waste was estimated. The samples exhibited favorable energy properties, with a lower heating value (LHV) of up to 15,345 kJ/kg. Using a fixed-bed gasification system integrated with an internal combustion engine, the net electrical potential reached 143.18 kW, sufficient to continuously supply 1126 households in non-interconnected zones (NIZ). A life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed using OpenLCA software, revealing that the pelletizing and drying stages contribute over 99 % of total greenhouse gas emissions, while the gasification process itself had minimal environmental impact. The approach used in this study provides a replicable framework for the valorization of lignocellulosic biomass in geographically isolated regions with similar socio-environmental conditions.