Dynamic Variation of Fuel Properties of Tonkin Cane (Pseudosasa amabilis) during Maturation

Bamboo is a potential feedstock for bioenergy production. Pseudosasa amabilis is a common bamboo species in south China and commonly known as Tonkin Cane. It has a high biomass yield, and its properties are outstanding compared to many other bamboo species as well as grasses and woody biomass for bioenergy applications. Bamboo can mature within 1 year, and its chemical composition changed slightly after the growth during the first year. To understand the effect of the maturation process on fuel properties, biomass materials of P. amabilis ranging from 0.5 m bamboo shoot to 1-year-old bamboo culm were investigated for chemical composition, crystallinity index (CrI), element contents (i.e., C, H, N, S, and O), heating values, and thermogravimetric characteristics. Except for the H content, which did not show an apparent changing trend, and the lignin content, which had a relatively stable increasing rate, the other tested properties changed significantly during the maturation process of the bamboo and rapidly before the age stage of high growth accomplishment of the bamboo. The CrI showed the same changing pattern with the cellulose content. In comparison to some grass and woody biomass materials, C and H contents of 1-year-old mature bamboo were higher, whereas N, S, and O contents were lower, which are advantageous for bioenergy utilization. The higher heating value of 1-year-old bamboo was more than 19 MJ/kg, even higher than some of the woody biomass feedstocks. The results from this study ensure that 1 year growth is enough for the Tonkin Cane to obtain a good quality biomass for biofuel production.