Physical and chemical characterisation of selected weed species for energyproduction

Selected weed species were assessed for assessing their suitability as ener gy production sources using chemical conversion routes. The physical and ch emical properties of 26 weed species were characterised. Physical character isation included determination of number of branches, plant height, plant w eight, stem diameter, density and chemical characterisation included determ ination of moisture content, ash content, volatile matter content and fixed carbon content. Abutilon indicum G.Don, Achyranthes aspera L. and Dyschori ste nagchan, Nees. were identified for thermochemical gasification and five weed species were selected for biochemical gasification. The rate of gas p roduction from Abutilon indicum, G.Don., Achyranthes aspera, L. and Dyschor iste nagnchann, Nees. in thermochemical conversion process was 1.709, 2.212 and 2.246 m(3) kg(-1), respectively and a maximum biogas production of 20. 13 l kg(-1) was observed for Achyranthes aspera, L. in a biochemical conver sion process. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.