Valorization of Cork Residues for Biomass Pellet Production: Meeting ENplus<sup>®</sup> Standards Through Strategic Blending
Cork processing generates significant by-products that pose environmental challenges and waste management concerns. This study investigates the potential of utilizing cork residues—finishing powders, grinding powders, and sawdust—for biomass pellet production, emphasizing compliance with ENplus<s...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| author | Amadeu D. S. Borges Paulo Matos Miguel Oliveira |
| author_facet | Amadeu D. S. Borges Paulo Matos Miguel Oliveira |
| author_sort | Amadeu D. S. Borges |
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| description | Cork processing generates significant by-products that pose environmental challenges and waste management concerns. This study investigates the potential of utilizing cork residues—finishing powders, grinding powders, and sawdust—for biomass pellet production, emphasizing compliance with ENplus<sup>®</sup> A1, A2, and B standards. Physical, chemical, and calorimetric analyses reveal that sawdust is the only material capable of independently meeting ENplus<sup>®</sup> requirements, due to its low nitrogen (0.19%) and ash (0.22%) contents. However, its low net heating value necessitates blending with cork residues for improved energy performance. Finishing powders, despite a high net heating value (17.36 MJ/kg) and low ash content (0.37%), are restricted by their elevated nitrogen levels (1.59%). Grinding powders, with net heating values ranging from 16.25 to 17.78 MJ/kg, offer limited suitability due to high ash and nitrogen contents. For Class A1, mixtures require 85–87% sawdust, limiting cork residue incorporation to 15%. For Class A2, sawdust inclusion drops to 65–70%, allowing for greater use of cork residues and boosting net heating values to 16.74 MJ/kg. Class B mixtures achieve the highest incorporation of cork residues (up to 65%), with net heating values reaching 16.92 MJ/kg, suitable for industrial applications. These results highlight blending strategies as essential for balancing regulatory compliance, energy efficiency, and waste valorization. Future research should focus on pretreatment methods, alternative biomass sources, and lifecycle assessments to enhance compliance and scalability, promoting sustainable energy solutions and circular economy goals. |
| format | Article |
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| spelling | doaj-art-e043b2a0e4e14b8a98cb9d1f3e3e5cba2025-06-25T13:39:05ZengMDPI AGClean Technologies2571-87972025-05-01724310.3390/cleantechnol7020043Valorization of Cork Residues for Biomass Pellet Production: Meeting ENplus<sup>®</sup> Standards Through Strategic BlendingAmadeu D. S. Borges0Paulo Matos1Miguel Oliveira2CQ-VR, Chemistry Research Centre-Vila Real, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5001-801 Vila Real, PortugalLaboratory of Thermal Sciences and Sustainability, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5001-801 Vila Real, PortugalCQ-VR, Chemistry Research Centre-Vila Real, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5001-801 Vila Real, PortugalCork processing generates significant by-products that pose environmental challenges and waste management concerns. This study investigates the potential of utilizing cork residues—finishing powders, grinding powders, and sawdust—for biomass pellet production, emphasizing compliance with ENplus<sup>®</sup> A1, A2, and B standards. Physical, chemical, and calorimetric analyses reveal that sawdust is the only material capable of independently meeting ENplus<sup>®</sup> requirements, due to its low nitrogen (0.19%) and ash (0.22%) contents. However, its low net heating value necessitates blending with cork residues for improved energy performance. Finishing powders, despite a high net heating value (17.36 MJ/kg) and low ash content (0.37%), are restricted by their elevated nitrogen levels (1.59%). Grinding powders, with net heating values ranging from 16.25 to 17.78 MJ/kg, offer limited suitability due to high ash and nitrogen contents. For Class A1, mixtures require 85–87% sawdust, limiting cork residue incorporation to 15%. For Class A2, sawdust inclusion drops to 65–70%, allowing for greater use of cork residues and boosting net heating values to 16.74 MJ/kg. Class B mixtures achieve the highest incorporation of cork residues (up to 65%), with net heating values reaching 16.92 MJ/kg, suitable for industrial applications. These results highlight blending strategies as essential for balancing regulatory compliance, energy efficiency, and waste valorization. Future research should focus on pretreatment methods, alternative biomass sources, and lifecycle assessments to enhance compliance and scalability, promoting sustainable energy solutions and circular economy goals.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-8797/7/2/43cork residuesbiomass pelletsENplus<sup>®</sup> standardssustainable energycircular economywaste valorization |
| spellingShingle | Amadeu D. S. Borges Paulo Matos Miguel Oliveira Valorization of Cork Residues for Biomass Pellet Production: Meeting ENplus<sup>®</sup> Standards Through Strategic Blending Clean Technologies cork residues biomass pellets ENplus<sup>®</sup> standards sustainable energy circular economy waste valorization |
| title | Valorization of Cork Residues for Biomass Pellet Production: Meeting ENplus<sup>®</sup> Standards Through Strategic Blending |
| title_full | Valorization of Cork Residues for Biomass Pellet Production: Meeting ENplus<sup>®</sup> Standards Through Strategic Blending |
| title_fullStr | Valorization of Cork Residues for Biomass Pellet Production: Meeting ENplus<sup>®</sup> Standards Through Strategic Blending |
| title_full_unstemmed | Valorization of Cork Residues for Biomass Pellet Production: Meeting ENplus<sup>®</sup> Standards Through Strategic Blending |
| title_short | Valorization of Cork Residues for Biomass Pellet Production: Meeting ENplus<sup>®</sup> Standards Through Strategic Blending |
| title_sort | valorization of cork residues for biomass pellet production meeting enplus sup r sup standards through strategic blending |
| topic | cork residues biomass pellets ENplus<sup>®</sup> standards sustainable energy circular economy waste valorization |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-8797/7/2/43 |
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