Evaluation of Green House Gas Emissions from Sawmill Residues Usage for Energy

Seven scenarios for energy use of sawmill residue were evaluated from the viewpoint of impact on climate change by Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) with data from the literature and some plants. The scenarios evaluated are use of sawmill residue for fuel in lumber drying (2 scenarios), for fuel in wood biomass power generation (2 scenarios) and for raw material for wood pellets (3 scenarios). Then, sensitivity analysis was made of data which may have both uncertainty and influence on the result of the LCA. This study clarified that it is more conducive for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to use the residue for fuel in lumber drying than in wood biomass power generation, and that it might increase greenhouse gas emissions to burn the residue in fluidized bed boilers. This study also clarified that it is conducive to reducing greenhouse gas emissions when wood pellets were used for heating as a substitute for kerosene or gas stoves.