Comparative research of thermochemical conversion properties of coarse-energy crops

ENIn the world, as in Lithuania, there is a costant search for new crops suitable for energy conversion. The coarse-energy crops and their biomass studied for this paper were assessed in a comprehensive manner, i.e., not only their calorific value and ash content but also their ash melting properties and pollutants emitted during the thermochemical conversion. The calorific value of energy crops varies from 17.92 ± 0.32 to 18.50 ± 0.66 MJ kg−1 and decreases in the following order: A. dubia >M. giganteus >C. sativa. Ash content varies from 1.51 ± 0.03 to 3.36 ± 0.23% and decreases in the following order: C. sativa >A. dubia >M. giganteus. The lowest primary ash deformation (648 ± 8 ◦C) was recorded for C. sativa. Taking into account the specificity of our research and the changes in biomass ash content due to mineral nitrogen fertilization, it has been found that that higher levels of nitrogen fertilizers in the combustion products reduce CO and increase the total CO2 content of the combustion product. Significant changes in fertilization were usually 170 kg ha−1 for A. dubia and 90 kg ha−1 for M. giganteus. In summary, A. dubia, M. giganteus and C. sativa biomass should be used for thermochemical conversion. Keywords: Artemisia dubia Wall.; Miscanthus×giganteus; Cannabis sativa L.; biomass; thermal properties; emissions; mineral fertilizers. [From the publication]