Thermochemical characterization of invasive Axonopus compressus grass as a renewable energy source

Abstract

The necessity of energy is increasing massively, whereas fossil fuel resources are diminishing with time, and produce greenhouse gasses while burning. To resolve these issues, lignocellulosic biomass such as Axonopus compressus that is available in Brunei Darussalam have been investigated. For characterization analysis, dried 0.25 mm samples were utilized. The moisture content (4.56%), volatile matter (72.04%), fixed carbon (17.11%), and ash contents (6.29%) of the sample were achieved from the proximate analysis result. The HHV (Higher heating value) of 17.96 MJ/kg and the moisture content value is an indication of a reasonable source for biofuel production. The ultimate analysis showed the carbon (C), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), and oxygen (O) contents were 43.46%, 5.68%, 1.45%, 0.13%, and 49.10%, respectively. From the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) results, the highest decomposition rate was found to be 6.03 wt. %/min at 334 °C temperature in pyrolysis and 30.63 wt. %/min at 443 °C temperature in combustion condition.