Biomass Characterization of Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) Wood for Thermochemical Conversion

  • Philippine Journal of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
  • Mari Rowena Tanquilut Pampanga State Agricultural University
  • Jessie Elauria University of the Philippines Los Baños
  • Rossana Marie Amongo University of the Philippines Los Baños
  • Delfin Suministrado University of the Philippines Los Baños
  • Kevin Yaptenco University of the Philippines Los Baños
  • Marilyn Elauria University of the Philippines Los Baños
DOI: https://doi.org/10.48196/015.01.2019.04
Keywords: Pigeon pea, biomass, characterization, pyrolysis,, bioenergy, biofuel

Abstract

Physical, thermochemical, and compositional analyses were performed on pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) wood to determine its overall biomass characteristics. Pigeon pea is a minor crop locally known as kadios, usually grown in backyards, marginal lands, and insignificant land portions in the Philippines. In this study, pigeon pea wood is identified as a new potential lignocellulosic bio-resource for producing renewable energy due to its several attractive agro-energy features. Proximate analysis showed that mean moisture content (MC) dry basis, volatile combustible matter (VCM), and ash contents of pigeon pea wood were 10%, 66%, and 12%, respectively, which fall within the range of recommended values for biomass feedstock. The fixed carbon (FC) content of pigeon pea wood is 22%, the highest value among common biomass materials. Ultimate analysis of pigeon pea wood reveals carbon (C) content of 41%, similar to its nitrogen (N) content. Its hydrogen (H) content is 6.17%, which falls on the upper limit for most agricultural biomass (5-6%). Pigeon pea wood thus showed the highest H/C and O/C molar ratios. Moreover, its heating value (HV) is 17.13 MJ/kg, which also falls within the mean range of the other biomass. It also contained 15-25% lignin, 30-50% cellulose, and 20-40% hemicellulose. Based on these results, it can be
concluded that pigeon pea wood has potential biofuel properties as new feed or co-feed for thermochemical conversion processes (i.e., pyrolysis, torrefaction, and gasification).

 

Citation:

TANQUILUT, M. R., ELAURIA, J., AMONGO, R. M., SUMINISTRADO, D., YAPTENCO, K., & ELAURIA, M. (2019). Biomass Characterization of Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) Wood for Thermochemical Conversion. Philippine Journal of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, 15(1), 39–52. https://doi.org/10.48196/015.01.2019.04

Published
2019-06-30
Issue
Vol 15 No 1 (2019): Philippine Journal of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Section
Articles