Vol. 12, Special Issue 12 (2023)

Author(s):
Saravanapriya G and Shreelavaniya R

Abstract:
Prosopis juliflora (Seema Karuvelam in Tamil) is one of the ecologically important tree species, which is the native of arid and semi-arid zones of the world. The Prosopis juliflora is mainly used for fuel purpose because of its hardness, high calorific value, stable burning properties, easy propagation, non-perusable by livestock, adaptability in all kind of soils with production of huge biomass and resistant to droughts. It is also mentioned that the Prosopis juliflora is an introduced or established weeds and it rapidly spread everywhere in the country. Hence, useful utilization of this species as an alternative fuel for energy generation is crucial to be examined. This research was conducted to study the characteristics of Prosopis juliflora wood and its products such as Prosopis juliflora briquette and Prosopis juliflora biochar for energy generation. Proximate analysis, ultimate analysis and calorific values were analysed to determine its fuel properties. FTIR analysis was carried out to study the qualitative and quantitative components of biomass. Briquettes and biochar are having low ash content and increase in fixed carbon content was observed in biochar. The moisture content of Prosopis juliflora briquette and biochar was found to be 2.28% and 1.74% respectively, which is very less than raw Prosopis juliflora wood (8.3%). The results of proximate analysis showed decrease in volatile matter in briquette and biochar compared to woody biomass. The calorific value of biochar is higher compared to briquette and raw wood samples. The FTIR spectrum of Prosopis juliflora wood, briquette showed the functional groups such as hydroxyl group, carbonyl group, aromatic and alcohol rings, esters etc., but in case of biochar, these functional groups where several peaks were disappeared.