Chemical investigation of miscanthus × giganteus Greef et Deu. Cultivated in Serbia: A potential renewable source of energy

Abstract

According to scientific community and professional specialists, urging necessity to increase capacity of sources of energy can be partially achieved by using biomass as a raw material. This approach is justified by both economic and ecological reasons. In this paper the results of chemical study of the biomass Miscanthus × giganteus Greef et Deu. cultivated in the Republic of Serbia in the experimental field of the Institute for Application of Nuclear Energy in Zemun were presented. Study of an amount of ashes, elemental analysis of the biomass, and calorific value of the biomass (both higher and lower), which are critical parameters when estimating the quality of a biofuel, points out the possibility of utilization of the miscantus biomass as a fuel. Samples of the plant material for this study were collected during two harvesting periods: in the fall, when the biological yield is the highest, and at the end of the winter, when a highest quality biomass with respect to the combustion is obtained do to a decrease in moisture content and remobilization of the macro- and micronutrients from the above-ground parts of the plants to the rhizomes. Values of the studied parameters indicate that biomass meets the 'green' energy requirements because the amounts of oxides of nitrogen and sulphur in the combustion products would not threaten current quality of the environment and the amount of carbon dioxide produced would be consumed in the process of photosynthesis. Results of the chemical analyses strongly suggest to a high potential of utilization of the miscantus biomass as a biofuel (renewable source of energy) to generate thermal energy.