Biomass and Bioenergy

Statement of the problem: The utilization of woody biomass in Duhok Governorate for supplying energy is an important subject. Especially, now-a-days there are a lot of disputes around the fossil fuels and their insufficient supply according to the increase of the inhabitance in addition to the unstable economic situations that limit it’s acquiring. As well as their negative impact on the environment and the purpose of this study is to determine the amount of lignin in the tested samples to find out the best source for biomass energy since it is correlated with the heating value that is provided from their burning and hence prevent the over cutting of inefficient trees. Eventually, the results of this study will investigate the region’s capacity and the amount of biomass and fill some of the forest information gaps that face foresters in Duhok Governorate. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Depending on the DBH trees were divided into three classes. From each tree, three types of samples were taken, wood, bark and branch. Their wet weight were recorded, oven dried, grinded, and soxhlet was extracted. 72% H2SO4 were used to obtain Klason lignin then FTIR used to characterize the lignin. Findings: The highest value of lignin is based on the size of trees from large to small trees. Whilst the bark as the type of sample was from large tree of Pine gave a highest level of lignin. Conclusion & Significance: The results implied that the bark from both studied species are the best source for woody biomass and are highly significance (p< 0.01) in lignin percentage for both: classes and the types of samples. Recommendations: Increasing the plantations of Pinus brutia and set a harvesting plan that will provide the sustainability in the utilization. Raising the awareness about the need to preserve forests and prevent over-logging of trees.