Comprehensive Characterization of Some Selected Biomass for Bioenergy Production

Asmau M Yahya; Adekunle A Adeleke; Petrus Nzerem; Peter P Ikubanni; Salihu Ayuba; Hauwa A Rasheed; Abdullahi Gimba; Ikechukwu Okafor; Jude A Okolie; Prabhu Paramasivam

doi:10.1021/acsomega.3c05656

Comprehensive Characterization of Some Selected Biomass for Bioenergy Production

ACS Omega. 2023 Nov 8;8(46):43771-43791. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.3c05656. eCollection 2023 Nov 21.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Petroleum and Gas Engineering, Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja 900001, Nigeria.
² Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja 900001, Nigeria.
³ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Landmark University, Omu Aran 251103, Nigeria.
⁴ Department of Industrial Chemistry, Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja 900001, Nigeria.
⁵ Gallogly College of Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States.
⁶ Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, Mattu University, Mettu 318, Ethiopia.

Abstract

There is a lack of information about the detailed characterization of biomass of Nigerian origin. This study presents a comprehensive characterization of six biomass, groundnut shells, corncob, cashew leaves, Ixora coccinea (flame of the woods), sawdust, and lemongrass, to aid appropriate selection for bio-oil production. The proximate, ultimate, calorific value and compositional analyses were carried out following the American Standard for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray fluorescence were employed in this study for functional group analyses, thermal stability, and structural analyses. The H/C and O/C atomic ratios, fuel ratio, ignitability index, and combustibility index of the biomass samples were evaluated. Groundnut shells, cashew leaves, and lemongrass were identified as promising feedstocks for bio-oil production based on their calorific values (>20 MJ/kg). Sawdust exhibited favorable characteristics for bio-oil production as indicated by its higher volatile matter (79.28%), low ash content (1.53%), low moisture content (6.18%), and high fixed carbon content (13.01%). Also, all samples showed favorable ignition and flammability properties. The low nitrogen (<0.12%) and sulfur (<0.04%) contents in the samples make them environmentally benign fuels as a lower percentage of NO_x and SO_x will be released during the production of the bio-oil. These results are contributions to the advancement of a sustainable and efficient carbon-neutral energy mix, promoting biomass resource utilization for the generation of energy.