Elephant Grass Biomass Attributes for Bioenergetic Applications Compared to Other Feedstocks

Abstract

The study aim to evaluate the biomass quality attributes of elephant grass [ Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone] genotypes for the bioenergy production compared to other feedstocks. There were evaluated 32 feedstocks among them 16 elephant grass (EG) genotypes and 14 other feedstocks with potential for bioenergy applications. The evaluated quality attributes are the elemental composition, net calorific value, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and ash contents (% of dry matter). Our results point out that the EG genotypes show similar quality atrributes among themselves, except to the ash content. The mean net calorific value of the EG biomass (3,995 kcal kg -1 ) was superior than the rice husk and sorghum, and similar compared to sugarcane straw and bagasse, coconut fiber, energy cane, cassava waste and corn stover. The EG genotypes cellulose mean content (36%) was superior than cassava waste sample, but similar compared to all other feedstocks, except to the eucalyptus, rice husk, bamboo and sugarcane bagasse. The EG genotypes hemicellulose mean content (29.3%) was superior than the coconut husk, bamboo, cassava waste, coconut fiber, rice husk, eucalyptus and M. caesalpiniaefolia and similar to sorghum, energy cane, sugarcane straw and bagasse. The EG genotypes lignin mean content (8.2%) was superior to corn stover and similar to energy cane, sorghum, sugarcane bagasse and straw. The EG Madeira showed the lowest ash contents (2.21%) among the EG genotypes. The mean ash content of the other EG biomass (4.96%) was similar to bamboo, energy cane, cassava waste and sugarcane straw.