Physical and thermo-chemical characterization of agricultural residues and municipal waste

Abstract

Characteristics of crop residues such as size, angle of repose, colour and density, calorific value, percentage of moisture content and chemical composition affect the production of bio-fuels. These properties also affect drying and handling of biomass and the design of thermal conversion systems. These characteristics can vary noticeably from waste to waste. In this study, four local varieties of rice straw (Nabina, Tamapasara, Swarnaand NuaAchharmati), sugarcane bagasse, coconut coir and vegetable waste were characterized. Study revealed that the sugarcane bagasse has the darker color, higher particle density (384.66 kg.m-3) compared to others tested biomass. Sugarcane bagasse contained highest percentage 82.7% of volatile matter followed by coconut coir, vegetable waste and rice straw. Rice straw variety Nabina has shown the highest calorific value 22.98 MJ/kg compared to Tamapasara, Swarna and NuaAchharmati and can be utilized for biofuel production.