Study on fuelwood and carbonization characteristics of Prosopis juliflora

Abstract

In this study, fuel properties (calorific value, proximate and elemental parameters), chemical and elemental composition of Prosopis juliflora wood has been investigated. Result shows high calorific value (21 MJ/kg), high fixed carbon content (25 %) and low ash content (1.7 %) in P. juliflora wood. Ash elemental analysis shows the presence of high calcium (68 %) and low silica content (1 %) in P. juliflora wood. Presence of high lignin content (25 %) in P. juliflora wood makes it a suitable raw material for charcoal production. P. juliflora wood was carbonized at different experimental temperatures (300, 400, 500, 600, 700 and 800 °C). Effect of carbonization temperature on yield and other fuel properties of charcoal were investigated. The result shows that charcoal yield and its properties are greatly influenced by carbonization temperature. The charcoal yield reduced from 49 to 34 %, when carbonization temperature was increased from 300 to 800 °C. Fixed carbon content, ash content and calorific value of charcoal ranged between 55–84 %, 2–4 % and 24–33 MJ kg−1, respectively. The highest calorific value (32.8 MJ/kg) was found in charcoal obtained at 600 °C. The yield of charcoal at 600 °C was found to be 37 %. Burning profile of wood and charcoal prepared at different carbonization temperature were studied under oxidizing atmosphere using thermo gravimetric analyzer. The variation in the fuel properties and combustion characteristics of charcoal prepared at different temperatures was mainly due to difference in chemical and elemental composition of chars.