A tool to determine the quality of biomass as a source of energy is being developed

Agricultural residues have other possible lives thanks to the circular economy, bringing environmental benefits for the planet and economic benefits for the farming community, which previously wasted them. The biomass resulting from olive cultivation is often converted into energy. However, not all biomass has the same calorific value or the same quality to be transformed into energy; in fact, some biomass may contain harmful elements that make it unsuitable for this second energy life. For this reason, the BIOSAHE (Biofuels and Energy Saving Systems) research group at the University of Cordoba, led by Professor Pilar Dorado, has coordinated the Biomasstep project, with the aim of creating a tool that allows all these parameters to be known in situ. "The problem we encounter in the use of biomass lies in the verification of its quality," explains Pilar Dorado. However, the process of checking this quality involves very costly chemical analyses, which can take a long time. The research team has developed a rapid methodology to predict quality parameters using NIRS (Near Infrared Spectroscopy) technology, which, by emitting a beam of light that interacts with the biomass, allows the composition of the biomass to be analysed. "Using a mathematical formula based on the wavelength of the light absorbed, we know whether or not the biomass is contaminated," says Dorado. In other words, thanks to this formula we can get to know, so to speak, the "DNA" of the biomass and determine its usefulness. Throughout the project, it has been possible to verify the success of the tool among the farming community, which has found it useful for promoting the use of biomass. "It has now been demonstrated that it works and, in fact, it is being used in several Andalusian cooperatives," explains the professor. In addition, this instant analysis provides many more parameters, such as the composition of water or ash. "The amount of water is important for transport and because it reduces the usable energy, and ash is of interest because its presence can damage a boiler," adds Dorado. This detailed knowledge of the indigenous biomass of Spain and Portugal has been possible thanks to the hundreds of samples of olive pits, forest residues, olive pruning and eucalyptus, among others, that they have been able to analyse. Focused mainly on olive plantations and some almond trees, the usefulness of this tool has been certified for any farmer working with this type of crop. "The spectrum of samples has been so broad that everyone can use it effectively," says the researcher. Such has been the success that there are now several cooperatives that are already using it, and several of the companies that market NIRS technology have even requested this formula to offer a more complete service to their clients. They have also put companies in the sector in contact with each other, creating a cooperation network to be able to finance the equipment in case they want to buy it. In addition, the great applicability of the equipment in different fields related to biomass has been demonstrated. In fact, there are now many producers interested in having other types of samples analysed, such as fruit trees (orange trees, etc.), which reiterates its good results.