Studies on Physical, Thermal and Chemical Properties of Wood Gliricidia sepium for Potential Bioenergy Production

Oyelere A.T.; Oluwadare A.O.

Authors

Oyelere A.T. Department of Forest Production and Products, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria Author
Oluwadare A.O. Department of Forest Production and Products, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria Author

Keywords:

Bioenergy, Calorific Value, Proximate Analysis, Ultimate Analysis, FTIR, Gliricidia sepium

Abstract

Price increase and combustion effects of conventional fuels on environmental health have caused a paradigm increase in demand for wood fuel. Hence, a study on the utilization potential of some woody biomass to serve as an alternative to fossilized fuel has become im portant. Moisture content, density, lignin content, Gross Calorific Value (GCV), proximate and ultimate analyses were determined follow ing standard procedures. Moisture content was 13.39±1.07 while wood density, lignin content, gross calorific value was 992.95±21.40 kgm-3, 26.26±1.26 %, 19.55±0.16 % respectively. Acetone extraction reduced the GCV of G. sepium by 17.85%. Ash content (1.28±0.14%), volatile matter (73.138±0.145%), Nitrogen content (0.48±0.01%), Sulphur content (0.03±0.01%) of Gliricidia sepium reveals that it could be considered adequate and suitable for use as feedstock in bioenergy production.