CALORIFIC VALUES AND FLAMMABILITY FOR FOREST WASTES DURING THE SEASONS OF THE YEAR

In this paper are reported changes in heat values (HV) with the season s of the year for the different species which make up most of the unde rgrowth in Galicia (Spain). Knowledge of these values is essential whe n evaluating the possibility of exploiting the energy content of the b ushes in energy-recovery plants.The calorific values of combustion at 25 degrees C were measured by static-bomb calorimetry for forest resid ues originated in activities related to afforestation, firebreaks, for est clearing etc. From combustion experiments, the mean calorific valu e was found to be close to 19000 kJ kg(-1), similar to the calorific v alues of municipal solid waste (MSW). For this reason, these forest re sidues can be used as an additional fuel to be added to MSW in energy recovery plants and this will also minimize the risk of forest fires.