Evaluation of suitability of hazelnut shell energy for production of biofuels

English. One of the many advantages in favor of the energy use of biomass is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, e.g. carbon dioxide and toxic exhaust co mponents. Depending on the physicochemical and ther mal properties, and especially on the calorific value, biomass can be used in heating and electricity. Bio mass can be any organic material containing carbon, but without significant physico-chemical changes, which would lead to the formation of specific properties of crude oil o r hard coal. The aim of this work was to determine selected properties of hazelnut shells in terms of their sui tability for biofuel production. The hazelnut shell s of the following varieties were analyzed: Casina, Catalan, Webba Cenny, Berger, Trapezian and Barcelonski. Th e examined hazelnuts were characterized by slight phy sicochemical differentiation. The criteria for biom ass energy assessment were: calorific value, moisture c ontent, heat of combustion, flash point, volatile c ontent and bulk density. Measurements of selected parameters w ere made using standardized measuring devices. Amon g the tested varieties of hazelnut shells, the highes t caloric value was characterized by the Casina var iety (18.42 MJ . kg -1 ), and the smallest for the Trapezian variety (17.2 1 MJ . kg -1 ). The highest content of ash was observed for the Catalan variety (1.4 %) and the lowest for Casi na (0.89 %). The highest content of volatile parts was noted for Trapezu ń ski (72.3 %) and the smallest for Berger variety (7 1.73 %). The highest temperature of ignition was distinguished for the variety Webba Cenny (425.07 º C), and the lowest for the variety Trapezian (368.4 ºC). The moisture content of the tested walnut shells ranged from 5.8 to 6.8 %. The conducted research and the analysis of selected physicochemical properties show that hazel nut shells are suitable for the production of biofu els.

English. biomass, biofuels, shells, physicochemical propert ies

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1860-1865