Chemical and Energetic Evaluation of Densified Biomass of Quercus laurina and Quercus rugosa for Bioenergy Production

Fuels obtained from woody forest resources such as oaks have been traditionally used in various regions due to their availability and energy properties. In the search for sustainable bioenergy sources and the transition towards cleaner alternatives, biomass-derived fuels, such as charcoal and pellets, represent a relevant option for rural and urban communities. This study determines the chemical composition, physical and mechanical properties, and energy quality of pellets from two oak species (Quercus laurina and Q. rugosa) in San Sebastián Coatlán, Miahuatlán, Oaxaca. The chemical composition was determined in an Ankom fiber analyzer; the energetic, physical, and mechanical analysis was carried out with UNE-EN ISO and ASTM standards. On average, 56.18% and 54.63% cellulose, 17.81% and 17.87% lignin, and 13.96% and 13.78% hemicelluloses were obtained for Quercus laurina and Q. rugosa, respectively. Mechanical durability ranged from 87% to 95% for Q. laurina stump and Q. rugosa stem, respectively; for calorific value, values from 19.79 MJ Kg−1 to 20.31 MJ Kg−1 were recorded for Q. laurina stem and Q. rugosa stump, respectively. The forest biomass of both oak species is viable for pellet production.