Evaluation of the Effects of Using the Giant Miscanthus ( Miscanthus × Giganteus ) Biomass in Various Energy Conversion Processes

Alina Kowalczyk-Juśko, Andrzej Mazur, Patrycja Pochwatka, Damian Janczak and Jacek Dach
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Alina Kowalczyk-Juśko: Department of Environmental Engineering and Geodesy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Leszczyńskiego 7, 20-069 Lublin, Poland
Andrzej Mazur: Department of Environmental Engineering and Geodesy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Leszczyńskiego 7, 20-069 Lublin, Poland
Patrycja Pochwatka: Department of Environmental Engineering and Geodesy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Leszczyńskiego 7, 20-069 Lublin, Poland
Damian Janczak: Department of Biosystems Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-624 Poznan, Poland
Jacek Dach: Department of Biosystems Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-624 Poznan, Poland

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 10, 1-16

Abstract: The giant miscanthus ( Miscanthus × giganteus ) is one of the most essential energy plants. It also finds various alternative uses, including installing belts to prevent soil erosion. Biomass from such belts should be removed and rationally managed every year. The parameters of miscanthus biomass were investigated in terms of its suitability for combustion and anaerobic fermentation. Under the conditions of the experiment, miscanthus achieved a stable yield already in the second year of vegetation, mainly due to the high planting density. Energy parameters turned out to be typical for straw biomass (calorific value 18.06 MJ/kg). Relatively low ash melting temperatures (<1400 °C) and their chemical composition meant a high risk of contamination depositing on heating devices, which is often indicated as a shortcoming of biomass compared to hard coal. Miscanthus silage can be a valuable substrate for anaerobic digestion, but it requires a sufficiently early harvest, which affects the yield of biomass. The yield of energy in biomass obtained after drying plants was 163,623.6 MJ/ha. In contrast, the yield of energy from biomass collected in summer and processed into biomethane was much lower and amounted to 72,978.2 MJ/ha.

Keywords: biomass; giant miscanthus; combustion; energy value; heating boilers fouling; anaerobic digestion; energy yield (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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