Evaluación del potencial calorífico de las especies forestales Machaerium millei Standl y Albizia guachapele en la provincia de Esmeraldas

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the calorific value of the species Machaerium millei and Albizia guachapele to determine their potential as energy sources within the dry forest of Playa Escondida, Galera parish, Muisne canton, Esmeraldas province. Samples were obtained from one tree per species, segmented into four trunk sections, from which the samples were extracted. These were taken to the Wood Laboratory of the Luis Vargas Torres University in Esmeraldas, where the moisture content (MC) was calculated by three drying treatments at a temperature of 103°C for 24 hours, following the NTE-INEN 1164:1983 standard, and the density of the samples was determined. In addition, the higher calorific value (HCV) and lower calorific value (LCV) were obtained based on the UNE-EN ISO 18125 standard. The results obtained were as follows: the MC of A. guachapele was 36.52% and M. millei was 38.59%; the density of A.  guachapele was 0.68 g/cm³ and M. millei was 0.87 g/cm³; the HCV of A. guachapele was 16.60 Mj/kg and M. millei was 17.74 Mj/kg; and the LCV of A. guachapele was 14.92 Mj/kg and M. millei was 14.58 Mj/kg. Statistical analysis by ANOVA showed that there were significant differences between the densities of both species. However, for CH, where a Kruskal-Wallis test was used, no significant differences were observed. Regarding PCS and PCI, the Kruskal-Wallis test did find significant differences between species, with A. guachapele being inferior to M. millei in its PCS and M. millei inferior to A. guachapele in its PCI. Five proposals were developed to optimize wood utilization and conservation, in addition to a comparison with other fuels. It was concluded that firewood is comparable to other biomass sources, with a lower yield than fossil fuels, but with a significantly lower environmental impact.