Characterization of the fuel properties of ananas comosus leaf for thermal application

Abstract

In recent years, the demand of energy in Malaysia increases significantly. It is generally accepted that the source of fossil fuel will be depleted in future since it is classify as non-renewable energy. Consequently, Malaysia is a country rich in biomass energy resource that easily can be converted into biomass fuel for thermal applications such as AnanasComosus leaf for clean energy production. This study is aimed to characterizing AnanasComosus leaf of N36 hybrid, selected from between ‘Gandul' (Spanish) and the ‘Smooth Cayenne'.The physical and chemical properties of the AnanasComosus leaf were analyzed using ultimate analysis, proximate analysis and heating value. The thermal decomposition behavior of the fuel was determined through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). From the result obtained, the parameter of ignition temperature (Tign) 322°C and maximum temperature (Tmax) 367°C, and final temperature (Tf) 810°C were gathered. The total weight of the fuel remaining at Tfwas 14.01% signifying that the conversion of the fuel will result in 85.99% conversion.