Evaluation of Biofuel Energy Potential of Barks from Some Conifer Species in Türkiye


NACAKCI F. M., ÖZKAN U., ŞAHİN H. T.

BioResources, cilt.21, sa.2, ss.3802-3820, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 21 Sayı: 2
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.15376/biores.21.2.3802-3820
  • Dergi Adı: BioResources
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Chemical Abstracts Core, Compendex, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.3802-3820
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Bark residues, Biomass energy, Calorific value, Conifer species, Non-wood forest product, Renewable fuel
  • Isparta Uygulamalı Bilimler Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Fuel characteristics were evaluated for bark from four coniferous treespecies native to Türkiye (Calabrian pine, Black pine, Scotch pine, andTaurus cedar). Bark samples from varying elevations and age groups wereanalyzed through calorific value (kcal/kg), ash content (%), volatile organiccompounds (VOC, %), sulfur emissions (SO2, %), elemental ashcomposition, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, andprincipal component analysis (PCA). All calorific values were determinedon oven-dried samples. Calabrian pine had the highest higher heatingvalue on a dry basis at 5044 kcal/kg, along with the lowest value for ash(1.55%), while Scotch pine exhibited the lowest energy value (4518kcal/kg). Black pine, which had the highest ash content (3.84%), appearedless suitable as a fuel source. Sulphur emissions across all species weremarginal (0.005% to 0.04%). Ash content increased with altitude inCalabrian pine, while the opposite trend was observed in larch. PCAresults showed interspecific variations in mineral composition andcombustion traits. In conclusion, Calabrian pine and Taurus cedar barkshow strong potential as renewable and cost-effective biomass energysources due to their favorable calorific and ash properties. However,environmental factors such as altitude remain determining factors inbiomass fuel performance. Fuel characteristics were evaluated for bark from four coniferous tree species native to Türkiye (Calabrian pine, Black pine, Scotch pine, and Taurus cedar). Bark samples from varying elevations and age groups were analyzed through calorific value (kcal/kg), ash content (%), volatile organic compounds (VOC, %), sulfur emissions (SO2, %), elemental ash composition, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and principal component analysis (PCA). All calorific values were determined on oven-dried samples. Calabrian pine had the highest higher heating value on a dry basis at 5044 kcal/kg, along with the lowest value for ash (1.55%), while Scotch pine exhibited the lowest energy value (4518 kcal/kg). Black pine, which had the highest ash content (3.84%), appeared less suitable as a fuel source. Sulphur emissions across all species were marginal (0.005% to 0.04%). Ash content increased with altitude in Calabrian pine, while the opposite trend was observed in larch. PCA results showed interspecific variations in mineral composition and combustion traits. In conclusion, Calabrian pine and Taurus cedar bark show strong potential as renewable and cost-effective biomass energy sources due to their favorable calorific and ash properties. However, environmental factors such as altitude remain determining factors in biomass fuel performance.