2.2. Chemical analysis
Thermo-chemical behavior of air dried biomass such as moisture, ash, volatile and fixed carbon were determined by standard procedures. Elemental analysis of air dried biomass samples was carried out using CHN-O Elemental Analyzer (Make: M/S Elementar Germany, Vario EL III). The homogenized powder sample (approx. 1 mg dry basis) was weighed on tin foil boat, formed into a pellet and placed sample carousel and subjected to complete combustion in a pure oxygen environment. Elemental composition of each biomass species are determined using thermal conductivity detector. In general, oxygen analysis can be done by combusting samples at 1000 C and the oxygen content of the emitted gases
were screened using infrared detector. In the present study oxygen content has been determined by the following formula: C þ H þ N þ S þ Residues þ O ¼ 100:00