Characterization of The Properties of Some Biomass Species and Estimation of Their Power Generation Potentials

Abstract

of conventional energy resources (i.e. fossil fuels, such as hard coal, lignite, oil and natural gas) which cause critical environmental problems like global warming due to increase in greenhouse gases which can bring drastic change in environment. Renewable energy sources release less pollution to atmosphere. So If the country wants to meet its energy demand and to be less dependent on importing energy and to minimize greenhouse gas effect and to keep environment safe then it should use renewable energy sources. Rapidly increase in energy demand and world pollution due to use of conventional fuel, scientists looked for alternatives as renewable energy sources. Among all the renewable-energy sources, biomass considered as an important source of power production due to its wide availability, lower ash content and low Cox, SOx and NOx emission to the atmosphere. In this article, five different portion(leaf, new branch, main branch, bark and root)were taken from residues of two-different woody biomass species and three fruit husk/peel of which don’t have any commercial use. These species are Vachellia nilotica(local name- Babool), Azadirachta indica(local name- Neem),Musa acuminata(local name- Banana),Cocos nucifera(local name- coconut)and Arachis hypogaea(local name- Groundnut).Proximate analyses and gross calorific values(GCV)of all the biomass sample were determined. Among all the biomass species studied, the fixed carbon content(FC)in Coconut husk was found to be the highest (i.e. 25wt.%)while Neem leaf has the lowest value (i.e. 11wt%), the volatile matter content(VM)in main branches of Neem is the highest(i.e. 74wt.%)While Groundnut husk has the lowest(i.e. 57wt.%)among all studied biomass samples. The ash content(A)in Neem root is the highest (i.e. 17wt.%)while Babool main branch has the lowest ash content (i.e. 1wt.%)