Wood: an important fuel in the Nation's energy future. [Projects in TVA are for wood waste utilization]

The recent discovery of sawdust, bark, and wood shavings as an attractive and low-cost fuel is demonstrated by a program at Maryville College with the assistance of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Besides its fuel value, the use of concentrated and readily accessible wood wastes eliminates a major waste disposal problem that had developed because pollution regulations precluded the use of traditional burners. The school uses a pyrolyzer to convert three tons of wood wastes to a ton of charcoal. Paper and forest industries are burning their wastes and selling both bark and sawdust for garden mulch. The Bowaters plant reclaims and reuses wood fibers dissolved in inorganic chemicals for additional savings. Bowaters generates nearly half its electric power from wood residues. As demand for wood increases, however, forest litter and culled trees will be harvested at a higher cost. Assessment of wood potential is underway by TVA and DOE.