Energy Sources Part A-recovery Utilization and Environmental Effects, Vol.38, No.9, 1206-1211, 2016
Perennial grasses as prospective energy sources
Properties of nine composts obtained from perennial grasses for their potential use as an energy source were assessed in this study. The majority of grasses displayed high-moisture, hemicellulose, Na, K, Cl, and N contents, but low lignin content. The effect of composting was pronounced in (i) enhancement of lignin to 461.29%, fixed carbon to 49.46%, and cellulose to 35.05%; and (ii) reduction of Na to 98.77%, moisture to 93.49%, hemicellulose to 89.15%, K to 88.21%, N to 84.43%, Cl to 23.15%, and volatile matter to 12.57%. Subsequently, an increase in higher heating value to 13.90% was observed.