Characterisation of various tropical rainforest wood species as potential feedstocks for biofuel production

Abstract

Wood biomass is a source of renewable and sustainable energy that is widely spread in the world and presents a lower cost alternative to fossil fuel. Biomass resources may include wood residues produced from various wood activities (e.g. wood-work, house or furniture making etc.), hence it is considered as municipal solid wastes. Wood residues can be used or recycled for generating electricity, heat, and biofuels. In this paper, chemical compositions of 10 different types of tropical rainforest wood species found in Brunei Darussalam were studied for their potential use as feedstocks for biofuel production. The chemical compositions of the wood species in terms of extractives, holocellulose, lignin, moisture and ash were determined by using the wood analytical method. The elemental composition was investigated using Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The characterisation results suggested that Alan Batu species has an absolute potential for biofuel production due to its higher lignin content (41.1%), lower moisture (0.8%) and ash content (0.0%).