Abstract
Residual biomass from guava (Psidium guajava L.), a common and widespread fruit tree native to Latin America, has been analyzed in the present research in order to determine the biomass quality and its potential use for energy purposes. Obtained biomass was grinded and compacted into the form of fuel briquettes. Determinations of solid biofuel parameters, i.e., physical, mechanical and chemical properties such as calorific value, moisture, ash content, volatile matter, mechanical durability, contents of the main chemical elements and heavy metals were performed according to international standards. As a result, not inconsiderable traces of heavy metals were found, with a concentration of zinc 4.57 mg kg−1 as the highest. Guava’s moisture content (9.8%) comfortably fulfilled the minimum standard requirements and the net calorific value as received (17.11 MJ kg−1) met the average value of a wood. However, measured sulphur content (0.063%) as well as ash content (3.74%) exceeded the maximum allowed limits for the graded wood briquettes and, therefore, guava wood briquettes should be rather categorized as non-woody A class briquettes. The results of the study can contribute significantly to the knowledge of guava wood properties and its potential as renewable solid fuel since there is little published data about it.
Highlights
High demand and consumption of fossil fuels have forced the global population to consider and recognize that the oil is a finite resource, and in the context of its forthcoming exhaustion humans must seek alternative sources of energy to meet their basic needs [1]
This study aims to obtain an overall evaluation of the physical, mechanical and chemical properties of biomass and briquettes from Psidium guajava L. pruning in order to assess its energy value
Measurements and calculations have been made on a representative sample (15 kg) of Psidium guajava L., collected from 30 trees spread throughout a parcel of one hectare in the parish of Lita, which is located about 100 km far from the city Ibarra in the Ibarra canton of Imbabura province, Ecuador
Summary
High demand and consumption of fossil fuels have forced the global population to consider and recognize that the oil is a finite resource, and in the context of its forthcoming exhaustion humans must seek alternative sources of energy to meet their basic needs [1]. Negative impacts on the environment, primary caused by carbon dioxide emissions, are widely offset by the carbon dioxide captured in growing plants, which mitigate to some extent the use and import of fossil fuels to the country, while biomass does not emit pollutants such as sulphur or nitrogen, and creates jobs and economic development in rural populations [7]. Speaking, it is about converting waste into a resource by a recycling process while contributing to environmental care and social improvement
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