The different biomasses from Maharashtra (India) region have
been studied to assess their potential as renewable fuel. From
the proximate analysis, it was concluded that cotton waste and leaf
have high volatile matter content with low ash content, thereby
suggesting their potential to be used in place of fossil fuels. From
elemental analysis it is found that all biomass samples contained
almost equal amount of carbon (C), but cotton waste possess highest
carbon content, low sulfur content followed by leaf, soybean
waste and wheat straw.
It appears that the biomass species can be used for energy
application even without preprocessing. Heating values have been
estimated using proximate and ultimate analysis. A comparison of
the estimated and measured values of biomass species showed
that the Boie equation predicted better results. Thus, studied biomasses,
cotton waste (19652 kJ/kg), garden waste (20900 kJ/kg)
soybean waste (18770.52 kJ/kg)) appear suitable as renewable
and sustainable alternative sources to commonly used fossil fuels.
These may be appropriate for briquetting and thus can be used
directly as a domestic fuel in biomass based gasifier cook stoves
or even for traditional cook stove/chulha. Biomass briquetting
shows potential toward cleaner energy application and can emerge
as a beneficial alternative for rural people and other users.