Conversion of Prosopis juliflora Pods for bioenergy production

Date:03 November 2022

Country: India

Application

• Utilizing using Prosopis juliflora pods as a bioenergy feedstock for producing biofuels like biochar, syngas, bio-oil, and ethanol. The detailed characterization of the pods enables their potential use in biorefineries for sustainable energy production and as a source of bio-based chemicals.

Description

This study investigates the potential of Prosopis juliflora (Pj) pods as a feedstock for bioenergy production. Through comprehensive characterization, including proximate, ultimate, biochemical, and thermal analyses, the researchers evaluate the suitability of Pj pods for biofuel production. The Pj pods were found to contain cellulose (26.6%), hemicellulose (30.86%), and lignin (4.71%), along with a calorific value of 17.62 MJ/kg. The characterization results highlight the Pj pods as a promising lignocellulosic biomass for biorefineries, offering a sustainable feedstock for renewable energy and value-added products.

Pathway Description:

The process involves collecting and preparing Prosopis juliflora pods, followed by proximate analysis to determine moisture, volatile matter, ash content, and fixed carbon; ultimate analysis for carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, hydrogen, and oxygen content; and biochemical analysis to isolate and quantify cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Additionally, thermal characterization is carried out to assess the calorific value and thermal behavior of the pods. These analyses provide a comprehensive understanding of the pods' composition, which is crucial for evaluating their potential as a bioenergy feedstock.