Abstract
Mauritius is a developing country that relies on the reserves of fossil fuels to provide most of its yearly electricity consumption. Generating electricity from renewable energy such as biomass can be a key step to shift from non-renewables. Giant reed is a biomass, which has been recognised by the EPA as a potential biofuel to substitute for coal. Therefore, the prime objective of this study was to investigate the potential of producing biofuel from thermally treated giant reed. Torrefaction, which is a thermal treatment, of giant reed was investigated through diverse operating conditions to assist in the displacement of fossil fuel for energy production. This study proposed an analysis on the thermal behaviour and fuel properties of giant reed, which has been thermally treated at temperatures of 200, 225, 250, 275 and 300 °C for a duration of 15, 30, 45 and 60 mins respectively during a fixed heating rate of 15 °C/min. It was seen that torrefaction upgraded the calorific value of the biomass but also exhibited a relative mass loss. The maximum calorific value of giant reed obtained was 24.78 MJ/kg under a torrefaction of 300 °C for 60 mins.
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