INVESTIGATING SIX TYPES OF BAMBOO CHARCOAL FOR ECO-FRIENDLY RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the physical and chemical properties of six types of bamboos: Kim sung (Bambusa beecheyana), Sang nuan (Dendrocalamus membranaceus Munro), Sang mon (D. sericeus Munro), Poe mae tawo (D. copelandii1), Man moo (D. copelandii2), and Ruak (Thyrsostachys siamensis) aged 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years, at culm. A torrefaction process was used to bring samples to a temperature of 340 °C. The residue was then ground into a fine powder, and the mass yield, energy yield, and physical and chemical composition were determined. The obtained mass yield and energy yield were 40.90–54.28% and 54.91–70.70%, respectively. The maximum heat value was at 1 year of culm age. D. membranaceus yielded the highest heat value at 24.36 Mj/kg and also had the lowest ash content of 4.97%. D. copelandii1 had the lowest moisture content of 1.72%. D. copelandii2 had the lowest volatile matter at 50.00%, and T. siamensis had the highest fixed carbon at 41.04%. At 2 years of culm age, D. membranaceus had the highest heat value of 23.80 Mj/kg, lowest ash content of 4.63%, and lowest moisture content of 1.12%. D. copelandii1 had the lowest volatile matter at 48.83%. T. siamensis had the highest fixed carbon, of 45.40%, at 3 years of culm age. T. siamensis had the highest heat value of 23.64 Mj/kg, the highest fixed carbon at 44.66%, and the lowest ash content at 5.86%. D. copelandii2 had the lowest moisture at 2.54% and also the lowest volatile matter at 42.03%. Our results suggest that D. membranaceus and T. siamensis are leading candidates as torrefied fuel sources.