Fuel bark quality evaluation of commercial tropical tree species: An approach to waste utilization

The removal of bark from logs is creating major residue problem in wood-based industries. Bark contains high amount of lignin, extractives, ash, moisture and low amount of polysaccharides than wood. The most desirable properties for an optimal fuel quality of a lignocellulosic material are its high calorific value, high density, low ash and moisture content. Keeping in view of these points, an investigation was carried out to evaluate the fuel value index (FVI) of bark from ten commercial tropical tree species for their effective utilization. Total ten different tree species planted in NAU campus were selected for evaluation of FVI of bark based on their calorific value, basic density, moisture and ash content. The highest FVI of bark was recorded in Casuarina equisetifolia (156.80) and lowest in Tectona grandis (18.53). The most promising tree species for fuel bark quality were in the order of , and Acacia nilotica. However, Casuarina equisetifolia Adina cordifolia Acacia auriculiformis and Mangifera indica also recorded topper rank than other five species. Therefore, the waste bark of these tree species could be further utilized into the value-added product like briquettes.