METHOD FOR ANALYZING FOREST WASTE
The calorific value of biomass and forest waste can be determined using an oxygen bomb calorimeter. Samples are dried in a natural convection stove to determine the moisture content, and then processed using a cutting mill to pelletize the sample. In the production of fuel pellets and briquettes, the feedstock has to be milled, pulped and steamed before being transformed into a denser product. It is a pure powder form refined from wood or crop residues that has been put under high pressure so as to be formed into small cylinders of various sizes. Given the pressure and its reduced humidity, the energetic density of the wood / waste pellet is approximately double than that of the wood. Size reduction is an important treatment of biomass for energy conversion.
An oxygen bomb calorimeter is then used to determine the calorific value of the different agroforestry species and bio-based industry residues. The oxygen bomb calorimeter is the most prevalent technique of measuring calorific value in a laboratory and in industrial environments. The principle operation of the calorimeter is based on measuring the heat released from the complete combustion of a fuel in an oxygen environment.
• The oxygen bomb calorimeter is calibrated and verified using a Benzoic Acid Tablet
• The biomass sample is weighed on a precision balance.
• The powdered sample is inserted into a gelatine capsule or pressed into a compact material.
• The cotton thread and firing wire are attached to the lid assembly.
• The capsule and crucible is carefully placed into the bomb vessel.
• Ensure the firing cotton lies on top of the capsule
• The bomb vessel is closed and filled with oxygen before it’ s placed into the bomb calorimeter
• The bomb calorimeter lid is then closed and the determination is started
The DDS Calorimeters range of oxygen bomb calorimeters automatically makes all the necessary calculations to produce the gross calorific value of the biomass sample.
CONCLUSION
The energy content of biomass is determined by its calorific value. The calorific value is influenced by biomass elemental composition, moisture and ash content. The gross calorific value of different agroforestry species and bio-based industry residues can range anywhere from 14.3 to 25.4 MJ / Kg. The energy differences are mainly due to different carbon content( main energy source), moisture content, ash content( no combustible material) or the experimental site.
Studies have shown that the energy analysis in crop plants and wetland herbs show that significant differences exist in calorific energy distribution on different plant organs. Root and main stems have the same calorific energy values. The lowest calorific energy value in all plant organs is the leaves. Also seeds, kernels and flowers have the highest energy values due to higher lipid content.
It was also found that rice husk and rice straw have a high ash content. Silica is the major composition of rice husk ash. With such a large ash content and silica in the ash it becomes economical to extract silica from the ash.
Biomass from forest residue, who higher gross calorific values in comparison with biomass from agricultural crop and wetland herbs.
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DDS Calorimeters | Feb / March 2017 Issue www. ddscalorimeters. com