Biomass Characterization of Bolo (Gigantochloa levis) for Bio-Energy Applications: Proximate Analysis and Calorific Value Variation along the Culm

Abstract:

The Philippines still relies heavily on oil and coal as energy fuel sources, contributing to approximately 63.21% of the energy mix. It is crucial to seek alternative feedstock that can comply with the increasing demand. This study thus investigated the energy potential of bolo (Gigantochloa levis (Blanco) Merrill) along the bottom, middle and top culm height portions, for bioenergy applications. The top culm was consistently observed to have the lowest moisture contents and the highest relative (0.4757 g/mL) and bulk (0.2003 g/mL) densities. Proximate analysis revealed a significant increase in average fixed carbon (FC) content from top (19.18%) to bottom (20.88%), while ash content showed the opposite trend, ranging from 3.59% to 5.92%. The average volatile matter (VM) content (74.90% - 75.53%) showed no significant variation along the culm. Lignin content was also analyzed and its correlation with FC and VM reveal a parabolic relationship with R² values of 0.84 and 0.63, respectively. Despite the top section having the lowest higher heating value, its higher density and lower moisture content resulted in the highest calculated energy density (8.13 GJ/m³ in chipped form), suggesting that the top portion has the best potential as a biomass energy source for direct combustion.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 1028)
• Pages: 79-86
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-9wHjpO
• Online since: October 2025
• Authors: Celine Rose S. Jimenez*, Cheyenne R. Marqueses, Anniver Ryan P. Lapuz, John Kenneth A. Cruz
• Keywords: Bamboo, Biomass Energy, Bolo, Higher Heating Value, Lignin, Proximate Analysis

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