Energy Sources Part A-recovery Utilization and Environmental Effects, Vol.38, No.12, 1819-1824, 2016
Characterization of properties and estimation of power generation potentials of some woody biomass residues
In the present investigation, experimental studies on proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, calorific value, and ash fusion temperatures of different components of three woody biomass species, namely, Ficus benghalensis (local name, Banyan), Ficus religiosa (local name, Pippal), and Madhuca longifolia (local name, Mahua) have been carried out to evaluate their power generation potentials. Among all the studied biomass species, the leaves of both Pippal and Mahua, followed by the bark of Banyan, were found to have the highest calorific values and highest hydrogen contents. The components with higher ash content were selected for ash fusion temperatures measurement, that is, leaf of Banyan, and barks of Pippal and Mahua, and the results obtained exhibited higher values (IDT: 1,156-1218 degrees C; ST: 1,187-1,248 degrees C; HT: 1,221-1,260 degrees C; and FT: 1,253-1,308 degrees C), indicating safe combustion operation up to about 1,000 degrees C with these biomass materials. The results regarding computation of land requirement show that around 84, 254, and 148 hectares of land area are needed for energy plantation, considering Banyan, Pippal, and Mahua biomass species, respectively, in order to ensure a continuous supply of 7,300 MWh per year of electricity for a group of 10-15 villages.
Keywords:Ash fusion temperatures;calorific value;proximate analysis;renewable energy;ultimate analysis;woody biomass