The potential of energy crops Sida hermaphrodita on organic farm'.A b s t r a c t. In the context of the growing demand for biomass, which is being encouraged by the EU directives on the promotion of the use of renewable energy, recent investigations have been increasingly focused on fast-growing energy crops. The aim of this study was to investigate the energy properties of three types of agricultural energy crops: Arundo donax L., Miscanthus × giganteus and Sida hermaphrodita. This investigation looked into the content of non-combustible and combustible matter, higher and lower heating values, lignocellulose content, and biomass macro-elements. The results indicate that the energy values of these crops are comparable, while their lignocellulose content shows significant variations. Thus, Arundo donax L. can best be utilised as solid biofuel due to its highest lignin content, while Miscanthus × giganteus and Sida hermaphrodita L. can be used for both liquid and solid biofuels production. As far as Arundo donax L. is concerned, a higher ash level should be taken into consideration.K e y w o r d s : energy crops, energy values, chemical composition

• Wood is still the most widely used raw material for pulp and paper production in the world

This paper deals with the effect of UV light through window glass on the changes in colour of surfaces of uncoated and clear-coated thermally modified wood, and on chemical changes of surfaces of uncoated thermally modified and unmodified wood. Discoloration of the uncoated wood samples and those treated with three commercial transparent coatings (two-component polyurethane varnish, water-borne varnish, and nano-impregnation) was measured spectrophotometrically using CIELAB parameters (L*, a*, b* and DE*). FTIR spectroscopy was used to study chemical changes caused by UV irradiation. Colour change (DE*) was recorded in all tested wood samples after exposure to UV light, and the smallest discoloration was recorded in wood samples coated with two-component polyurethane varnish. FTIR spectroscopy results show that thermal treatment and exposure to UV light modified the chemical structure of wood surface and that the thermally modified samples exposed to UV light showed similar changes as unmodified samples exposed to UV light, but less pronounced.

A review paper was designed as a lab-scale start-up guideline for general pelletizing process and technologies for biomass feedstock. The main body consists of summarized published research on the topic of all main parts of the biomass pelletizing process and technology, including machinery and their parts, optimal feedstock conditions as well as pellet forming processes and principles. This paper is more focused on the specific parameters necessary to obtain optimal pelletizing process that results in desired pellet quality, and less on feedstock preparation, final product post-treatment (e.g. cooling), handling (storage, transportation) or exact quality specifications. A summary of the suggested feedstock, technological and other parameters for the purpose of easier lab-scale start-up of biomass pellets production, which is based on the cited literature throughout this paper, is given in the last section.

Thickness swelling and swelling pressure were determined with 24-hour immersion test. For the swelling pressure measurement, special force gauge device was used. The biggest changes in swelling and pressure were observed when the resin content was changed in core layer. The fastest change in swelling and swelling pressure was observed in the fi rst few hours after immersion in water.