Mineral Content of Wood in Selected Tennessee Valley Hardwoods

摘要

The mineral content of wood, because of its neutralizing capacity, has a measurable effect on the acid hydrolysis process of making fuel-grade ethanol. To determine if there might be measurable differences in mineral content of the feedstock obtained from different locations and species, wood samples were collected from different sites in procurement areas designated for two potential ethanol-producing facilities. These samples were analyzed for nine minerals (calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, iron, aluminum, copper, manganese, and phosphorus). Results show high mineral content variability between different hardwood species, individual trees, and locations. Some species have more than 10 times the amount of a given mineral than other species. This indicates that processing costs and operating parameters of converting wood to ethanol may be affected by species selection and mix. 12 refs., 6 figs., 7 tabs. (ERA citation 12:011056)