RESUMO Na presente pesquisa, objetivou-se avaliar os rendimentos gravimétricos da carbonização e as características qualitativas do carvão vegetal de clones de híbridos obtidos dos cruzamentos de espécies de Corymbia, e identificar os mais adequados para uso siderúrgico. Seis clones, aos 6 anos e 5 meses de idade, foram utilizados na pesquisa e amostradas cinco árvores de cada material genético. As carbonizações laboratoriais foram realizadas à temperatura final de 450°C, taxa de aquecimento de 100°C.h-1 e tempo de residência de 30 minutos. Os rendimentos gravimétricos da carbonização foram determinados em relação à madeira seca. O carvão produzido foi qualificado, considerando-se a análise química imediata, poder calorífico superior, densidade energética, consumo específico de madeira e a eficiência energética. Na avaliação do experimento, foi utilizado o delineamento inteiramente casualizado com cinco repetições (árvores). A análise multivariada de componentes principais foi empregada para obter a variância dos vetores normalizados, considerando as características avaliadas nos carvões. Os resultados obtidos indicaram o elevado potencial para a utilização dos materiais genéticos de Corymbia, para fins energéticos, sobretudo para a produção de carvão vegetal siderúrgico. O clone 1 foi o destaque para a produção de carvão vegetal e lenha, pois apresenta maiores densidades aparentes e energéticas, maior teor e rendimento em carbono fixo, além de possuir menor consumo específico de madeira por tonelada de carvão vegetal produzido. Os clones 2 e 4 foram os que mais se distinguiram dos demais, respectivamente, em decorrência de seu maior teor de cinzas e por apresentar maior consumo específico de madeira na produção de carvão. O uso de clones híbridos de Corymbia, para a produção de carvão vegetal, pode ser uma boa alternativa, em razão de seu rápido crescimento e qualidades semelhantes de madeira e carvão vegetal a outras espécies que já são usadas para a finalidade energética.

ABSTRACT This research aimed to evaluate the carbonization gravimetric yields and qualitative characteristics of the charcoal of hybrid clones obtained from the crossings of Corymbia species and to identify the most suitable for the steel industry. We used six clones, at six years and five months of age, sampling five trees of each genetic material. The laboratory carbonizations consisted of a final temperature of 450°C, a heating rate of 100°C.h-1, and a residence time of 30 minutes. We determined the carbonization gravimetric yields when compared to dry wood. The charcoal produced was qualified considering the proximate chemical analysis, superior calorific value, energy density, specific wood consumption, and energy efficiency. We organized the experiment in a completely randomized design with five replicates (trees). The multivariate principal component analysis determined the variance of the normalized vectors, considering the charcoal characteristics evaluated. The results indicated a high potential for the use of Corymbia genetic materials for energy purposes, especially for producing charcoal for the steel industry. Clone 1 was prominent for producing charcoal and firewood, given its higher apparent and energetic densities, fixed carbon content and yield, and lower specific wood consumption per ton of charcoal produced. Clones 2 and 4 most distinguished themselves from the others due to higher ash content and higher specific wood consumption, respectively. The use of Corymbia hybrid clones for producing charcoal may be a good alternative due to its rapid growth and wood and charcoal characteristics similar to those of other species that are already used for energy purposes.

Abstract: The use of fast-growing trees is a good economic strategy for charcoal production. Wood with adequate chemical and physical properties generally is positively correlated with charcoal quality. The objective of this research was to evaluate wood quality from fast-growing hybrids for charcoal production. Three Corymbia citriodora x Corymbia torelliana and four Corymba torelliana x Corymba citriodora hybrid clones were evaluated. Parameters used to evaluate wood quality were wood basic density, elemental and structural chemical composition, energy efficiency and thermogravimetric analysis and the parameters evaluated for charcoal quality were apparent relative density, gravimetric yield, high heating value, proximate analysis and energy efficiency. All clones had wood basic density superior than 0,5 g cm-3 and ash inferior than 1%, which are desirable for a good quality of charcoal. Lignin content did not differ among clones with an average less than the 28% recommended for energetic use. Although clones differed in wood parameters, as dry matter, high heating value, energy density, total extractives, holocellulose content, it did not reflect in charcoal quality differences. Wood from all clones had equal and satisfying high heating value of charcoal and energy efficiency quality for charcoal production and differed in apparent relative density and ash content.

ABSTRACT The heterogeneous behavior of wood during drying is a process difficult to control. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the neuro-fuzzy hybrid system for monitoring wood moisture during drying. Eucalyptus urophylla x Eucalyptus grandis samples (2 x 2 x 4 cm) were saturated and dried in climatic chamber for 15 days. Basic density was determined by the dry mass/saturated volume ratio. Two neuro-fuzzy systems were developed to monitor wood moisture, the first based on the genetic material and drying period and the second based on basic density and drying period. The drying rate of wood samples was higher at the initial period and all reached equilibrium moisture content after 15 days. Density showed relationship with wood moisture during the study period. Both systems have the potential to monitor moisture, however, neuro-fuzzy system based on basic density and drying period showed better results and is therefore more suitable.

RESUMO O trabalho teve como objetivo verificar o efeito de diferentes doses de nitrogênio na produção de matéria seca e na qualidade da madeira e carvão vegetal de um clone híbrido de Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla, aos 6 anos de idade. Foram analisadas 40 árvores, sendo estudados 5 tratamentos em 4 blocos e amostradas 2 árvores por tratamento dentro de cada bloco. Os tratamentos consistiram da aplicação de 0 kg, 60 kg, 120 kg e 240 kg.ha-1 de nitrogênio (N), como sulfato de amônio, com o objetivo de avaliar se a resposta ao sulfato de amônio era exclusivamente devida ao N. Foi aplicado ainda um tratamento adicional, com aplicação de 120 kg.ha-1 de N como nitrato de amônio, totalizando 5 tratamentos. Foram avaliadas as características de crescimento da árvore, densidade básica, estimativa de massa seca, composição química e energética da madeira e as características físicas, químicas e energéticas do carvão. Observou-se que a produção de massa seca tendeu a aumentar com a aplicação da dosagem de nitrogênio. O efeito da dosagem de nitrogênio não influenciou a densidade básica e as características energéticas do carvão vegetal, porém os teores de nitrogênio elementar, extrativos totais e lignina na madeira apresentaram aumento com a nutrição aplicada. A nutrição utilizada não influenciou as características químicas e energéticas da madeira e do carvão vegetal.

ABSTRACT The present work aimed to verify the effect of different dosages of nitrogen on the production of dry material, and wood and charcoal quality made from a six years old hybrid clone of Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla. Overall 40 trees were analyzed and five treatments in four blocks were studied, with two trees sampled per treatment within each block. Treatments consisted in the application of 0, 60, 120 and 240 kg.ha-1 of nitrogen (N) as ammonium sulfate in order to evaluate if the response to such compound was exclusively due to N. An additional treatment was applied with 120 kg.ha-1 of N as ammonium nitrate, totalizing five treatments. The tree growth, basic density, dry mass estimate, chemical and energetic composition of wood were evaluated, as well as physical, chemical and energetic characteristics of charcoal. The production of dry mass tended to increase with the nitrogen dosage applied. The effect of nitrogen dosage did not influence the basic density and energetic characteristics of charcoal, however the content of elemental nitrogen, total extractives and lignin of wood increased with nutrition. Such application did not influence the chemical and energetic characteristics of wood and charcoal.