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Communication Clean Forest—Project Concept and Early Results

Publication . Gomes, João; Puna, Jaime; Marques, António; Gominho, Jorge; Lourenço, Ana; Galhano, Rui; Ozkan, Sila

The Clean Forest project aims to valorize forest biomass wastes (and then prevent their occurrence as a fuel source in forests), converting it to bioenergy, such as the production of 2nd generation synthetic biofuels, like bio-methanol, bio-DME, and biogas, depending on the process operating conditions. Valorization of potential forest waste biomass thus enhances the reduction of the probability of occurrence of forest fires and, therefore, presents a major value for local rural communities. The proposed process is easy to implement, and energetically, it shows significantly reduced costs than the conventional process of gasification. Additionally, the input of energy necessary to promote electrolysis can be achieved with solar energy, using photovoltaic panels. This paper refers to the actual progress of the project, as well as the further steps which consist of a set of measures aimed at the minimization of the occurrence of forest fires by the valorization of forest wastes into energy sources.

2022Journal article

Open access

Insights into cork weathering regarding colour, chemical and cellular changes in view of outdoor applications

Publication . Miranda, Isabel; Lourenço, Ana; Simões, Rita; Athayde, João; Pereira, Helena

A comprehensive analysis of outdoor weathering and soil burial of cork during 1-year experi- ments was carried out with measurements of CIELAB color parameters, cellular observa- tions by scanning electron microscopy, and surface chemical features analysed by ATR- FTIR and wet chemical analysis. Cork applied in outdoor conditions above and below ground retained its physical structure and integrity without signs of deterioration or fractur- ing. The cellular structure was maintained with some small changes at the one-cell layer at the surface, featuring cellular expansion and minute cell wall fractures. Surface color and chemistry showed distinct results for outdoor exposure and soil burial. The weathered cork surfaces acquired a lighter color while the soil buried cork surfaces became darker. With out- door weathering, the cork polar solubles increased (13.0% vs. 7.6% o.d. mass) while a sub- stantial decrease of lignin occurred (about 28% of the original lignin was removed) leading to a suberin-enriched cork surface. The chemical impact on lignin is therefore responsible for the surface change towards lighter colors. Soil-burial induced hydrolysis of ester bonds of suberin and xylan, and the lignin-enriched cork surface displayed a dark brown color. FTIR and wet chemical results were consistent. Overall cork showed a considerable struc- tural and physical stability that allows its application in outdoor conditions, namely for build- ing fac¸ades or other surfacing applications. Architects and designers should take into account the color dynamics of the cork surfaces.

2024-04Journal article

Open access