Study on chemical, elemental and gasification characteristics of Lantana camara wood

Abstract

Lantana camara is an invasive weed species, which is widely available in different agro-climatic zones of India and is expected to play a major role in future bioenergy schemes. In this study, fuel properties (basic density, calorific value, ash content, volatile matter content and fixed carbon content) along with elemental and gasification characteristics of L. camara stems have been investigated. Calorific value of L. camara was found to be 19.5 MJ/kg, whereas ash content, volatile matter content and fixed carbon content were 1, 80 and 19%, respectively. Gasification of L. camara was carried out using a 1 KWh gasifier, and composition of producer gas was evaluated. Based on experimental results, L. camara wood was found to be a suitable feedstock for energy conversion through gasification.