The quality indices of biomass from Miscanthus giganteus "Titan"

Abstract

The development of plant biomass production and their use as an energy source is currently encouraged at global but also regional level. The local cultivar 'Titan' of Miscanthus giganteus created at “Alexandru Ciubotaru” National Botanical Garden (Institute) of Moldova State University served as subject of the research. It has been found that the collected early spring Miscanthus giganteus biomass was characterized by 13.4 % moisture content and 2.18 % ash content. The elemental composition of Miscanthus giganteus dry biomass was 50.0% carbon, 6.86% hydrogen, 0.47% nitrogen, 0.03% sulphur. The specific density of the briquettes made Miscanthus giganteus dry biomass reached 740 kg/m3 . The gross calorific value of biomass was 19.6 MJ/kg and net calorific value of briquettes at 10% moisture content -16.2MJ/kg. The biomass from local cultivar 'Adela' 'Titan ' of Miscanthus giganteus can be used for preparing solid fuel - briquettes for a renewable energy production.