Proximate Characterization of Sarawak Waste Biomass for Sustainable Bioenergy Applications
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Abstract
This study investigates the proximate analysis of waste biomass sourced from Sarawak, Malaysia, focusing on their composition and energy properties as part of a broader initiative towards sustainable bioenergy utilization. Proximate analysis was performed according to the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) on four biomass types: Acacia mangium bark, oil palm kernel, Nipah palm frond, and bamboo waste from Bambusa vulgaris species, measuring moisture content, ash content, volatile matter, and fixed carbon content. The results indicate low moisture content across all samples (0.347–0.485%), enhancing energy efficiency, while variations in ash content suggest differing suitability for energy applications. Notably, bamboo waste demonstrated the highest volatile matter content at 93.239%, supporting efficient combustion characteristics, while Nipah palm frond exhibited the highest fixed carbon content (10.301%), indicating strong potential for sustained energy output. The higher heating values estimated revealed that Nipah palm frond offers the highest energy content (17.35 MJ/kg), followed by oil palm kernel (16.21 MJ/kg), with bamboo and Acacia mangium bark at 14.53 MJ/kg and 14.36 MJ/kg, respectively. Although these values are lower than those of charcoal, but they are comparable with other waste biomass, and they position these biomass types as viable candidates for biofuel production given its advantages with its abundance.
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