Jirjis, Raida
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Abstract
The demand of renewable energy sources, i.e. biomass, is steadily increasing worldwide to reduce the need of fossil energy sources. Biomass such as energy crops, woody species, forestry and agricultural residues are the most common renewable energy sources. Due to uneven demand for wood fuel, the material is mostly stored outdoors in chip piles or as logs until utilisation. Storage of biomass is accompanied by chemical, physical and biological processes which can significantly reduce the fuel quality. However, heating plants require high-quality biomass to ensure efficient operation, thereby minimising maintenance costs. Therefore, optimised storage conditions and duration times for chipped wood and tree logs have to be found. This paper aims at reviewing available knowledge on the pathways of microbial effects on stored woody biomass and on investigations of the fungal and bacterial community structure and identity. Moreover, potential functions of microorganisms present in wood chip piles and logs are discussed in terms of (1) reduction of fuel quality, (2) catalysing self-ignition processes, and (3) constituting health risk and unfriendly work environment.
Keywords
Bacteria; Fuel quality; Fungi; Self-ignition; Storage; Wood piles
Published in
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
2012, volume: 95, number: 3, pages: 551-563
Publisher: SPRINGER
SLU Authors
Global goals (SDG)
SDG7 Affordable and clean energy
UKÄ Subject classification
Medical Biotechnology (with a focus on Cell Biology (including Stem Cell Biology), Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry or Biopharmacy)
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-012-4164-3
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/45169