ENERGETIC POTENTIAL OF Phyllostachys bambusoides AS AN ALTERNATIVE SOURCE OF BIOMASS

Martha Andreia Brand,Gustavo Friederichs,Ailton Leonel Balduino Junior,Alexsandro Bayestorff Da Cunha

doi:10.5380/rf.v51i1.67968

Abstract

In Brazil, Phyllostachys bambusoides has been used for the manufacture of laminated bamboo products and landscaping. However, studies of its energy quality are rare. Thus, this study aimed to determine the energetic quality of Phyllostachys bambusoides for the use of stems in the fresh form (chips) for direct burning, as charcoal and as briquettes. Its energy potential was also determined by mass and energy balance for each solid biofuel (chips, briquettes, and charcoal). The analyzes were carried out on five individuals (shoots) at 3 years of age, collected at experimental plantations in Frei Rogério, SC. In the stems the newly collected moisture was determined; specific gravity; chemical composition; immediate analysis and higher calorific value. In laboratory charcoal, gravimetric yield, apparent relative density, immediate analysis, and higher calorific value were determined. The briquettes, made in the laboratory, were evaluated through their apparent density and compressive strength. For the stems, charcoal, and briquettes the energy density was calculated and a flowchart composed of the mass balance was calculated and the thermal energy production potential for each 100 kg of biomass used in the production of each biofuel analyzed was calculated. The energy density of stems (1.87 Gcal.m-3), charcoal (2.60 Gcal.m-3), and briquettes (4.68 Gcal.m-3) varied significantly. The highest useful energy potential can be obtained from briquettes (0.304 Gcal), charcoal (0.184 Gcal) followed by stems (0.168 Gcal) for each 100 kg of bamboo harvested with a mean moisture content of 35%.

Highlights

Bamboo is the common term applied to a group of 1.250 species of large lignocellulosic grasses that range from 10 cm to 40 m in height
Studies have proven the potential of bamboo species in the production of pellets and briquettes (SETTE JR. et al, 2016; SETTE JR. et al, 2017; JUNIOR et al, 2016; BRAND et al, 2019), and in energy production as fresh material and as coal (JUNIOR et al, 2016; SETTE JR. et al, 2017)
This study aimed to determine the energy quality and the potential for thermal energy production of Phyllostachys bambusoides stems. It aimed to compare their properties with Eucalyptus species and other bamboo species to subsidize information for the expansion of the raw-material base used for bioenergy generation

Summary

Introduction

Bamboo is the common term applied to a group of 1.250 species of large lignocellulosic grasses that range from 10 cm to 40 m in height. These species are daily used by billions of people, mainly as a source of fiber and food in Asia (SCURLOCK et al, 2000). A. et al ISSN eletrônico 1982-4688 species and, mainly, the possibility of their use as an energy source. This aspect has restricted the full development of bamboo cultivation in Brazil This aspect has restricted the full development of bamboo cultivation in Brazil (SETTE JR. et al, 2016)

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