Production and Quality Assessment of Pellets Made from Spruce Sawdust and Posidonia Oceanica (L.) Delile

The rise in concern for the environmental impact of fossil fuels has led to an increased demand for renewable energy sources. One such source under consideration is biomass, specifically wood pellets. However, producing these biofuels relies heavily on sawdust, which may not be sustainable. It is therefore important to explore alternative biomass sources to meet the growing demand. In this study, the potential of Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile, a marine seagrass species endemic to the Mediterranean Sea, was investigated as a biomass source for pellet and energy production. This biomass was chosen due to its rapid growth and abundance in Mediterranean countries. Samples were collected from Veneto beaches in Italy and analyzed in the laboratory according to EN ISO standards for solid biofuels. The samples were sieved and washed to remove sand and salt and to investigate how the properties improved. The results showed that sieved and washed samples had superior energy characteristics and were mixed with spruce sawdust to produce pellets. Although the algal pellets have a high ash content, they are suitable for feeding boilers equipped with moving grates. In conclusion, this research confirms the potential of Posidonia oceanica as a renewable biomass resource for bioenergy production.