Effect of extractive content on fuelwood characteristics of certain woody and non-woody biomass

Abstract

In this study, the effect of extractive content on fuel properties of selected woody and non-woody biomass samples has been evaluated. The results show significant variation in the amount of extractives (15-70%) present in different biomass samples. There is significant decrease in ash content, fixed carbon content and calorific value in extractive-free samples. The elemental carbon reduces after extraction in woody biomass. There is no specific trend observed in the reduction of elemental carbon with removal of extractives in nonwoody samples. In extractive-free samples, ash content decreases by 2-60%, fixed carbon content by 7-24% and calorific value by 1-17%. In conclusion, fuel properties of unextracted biomass are found to be better than extracted biomass.