Co-firing combustion characteristics of different ages of Bambusa balcooa relative to a high ash coal

The nitrogen content of the raw bamboo samples decreased with the plant's age and there was no correlation between the volatile matter content of the bamboo and the age of the samples. The calorific values (CV) for the raw bamboo samples ranging from 17 MJ/kg to 18 MJ/kg, while the torrefied and carbonized samples exhibited CVs ranging from 25 MJ/kg to 28 MJ/kg and 28 MJ/kg to 30 MJ/kg, respectively. The torrefied 4 year old sample has the highest mass and energy yield, whereas the carbonized 3 year old had the highest values. Both the raw and thermally treated bamboo had higher reactivities and lower ignition temperatures than the coal. The carbonized 4 year old bamboo is found to be more compatible to coal in terms of its combustion characteristic. Therefore, it's likely to be the preferred alternative source of fuel for co-firing with coal.