Propriedades químicas, físicas e energéticas da madeira de galhos de erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis)

Abstract

Determining the properties of wood contributes to increasing the use of these materials and expanding the range of products available to the market. Before the arrival of the Portuguese, the Brazilian territory was full of forests and virgin forests, and wood was one of the most versatile and most used materials in history and it is of great importance to know about its properties, as they will be able to define whether the final product will be positive or negative in relation to its functionality, since it is the properties of the wood that define its quality. Yerba mate is one of the main species explored within the non-timber plant extractivism sector in Brazil. Yerba mate wood has a secondary use, used either sawn or rounded, and in the manufacture of veneers for the production of panels. Therefore, the present work aims to determine the chemical, physical and energetic properties of the wood from the branches of this species. The chemical composition of wood may dictate its use and the physical properties of wood express the quality of this material, mainly for industrial purposes. The evaluation of wood quality for energy is very important when the objective is a better energy conversion of the material, either for direct burning or for the production of charcoal, with low cost and high yield. To carry out this study, wood from the species Ilex paraguariensis St. Hill. The material is located in the municipality of Capitão Leônidas Marques – PR. The tests and tests were carried out in the Wood Technology laboratory, at the Federal Technological University of Paraná – Campus Dois Vizinhos. Three repetitions were performed for each analysis and, through this, it was possible to obtain results for a.s%, moisture content, lignin, extractive content, holocellulose, basic and apparent density, shrinkage, volatile content, ash and fixed carbon. Some of these results, such as basic density, shrinkage and others, were compatible when compared with studies on yerba mate. Thus, it was possible to conclude that the contents of extractives, insoluble and soluble lignin and holocellulose indicate energy potential. However, high ash contents and high moisture contents can make some uses difficult. It should be noted that these results are specific for branches and may vary according to the tree trunk.