Utilization of biomass in Slovakia

At present, approximately 400 000 ton of biomass annually are utilized for energy. It is a question of fuel wood utilized mainly by inhabitants. Utili zation of the rest of forest biomass is small even though an annual utiliza ble potential is almost 7000 TJ. Increase and higher effectiveness of bioma ss utilization for energy in Slovakia requires development of preparation t echnology for fuel biomass, including transportation and chipping. At prese nt, a development of chippers is in progress, and production of chippers is as follows: Chipper S-800, Disk chipper in mobile version (tree-point atta chment of tractor) and in stationary version (electric motor). Maximal diam eter of wood processed is 150 mm and size of chips to 25 mm. The chipper of waste wood is D-1000. Chipper is placed on container frame; driving unit i s electric motor or combustion engine. Maximal diameter of wood is 600 mm a nd size of chips is to 40 mm. Research and development of energy production technologies based on biomass are aimed at combustion equipment with capac ity of 100-3000 kW, and gasification equipment with subsequent production o f electric power with capacity of 50 kW and biomass briquetting. Direct pro duction costs for 1 ton of fuel biomass are expected to be between 100 to 6 20 SKK, which makes biomass competitive after expected increase of prices o f fuel and energy in Slovakia. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights re served.