Abstract
This study was conducted to identify the energy alternative by using different kinds of de-oiled cakes which are considered as waste and produce pellets. The bamboo biomass dust used in this study was Bambusa balcooa and the binders are de-oiled cakes of Sal (Shorea robusta), Karanj (Millettia pinnata), Mahua (Madhuca longifolia) and Rice bran. Different aged bamboo biomass dust viz., one-year-aged, two-year-aged and three-year-aged was used in the pellet production. The experiment was designed in Factorial Randomized Block Design in which two factors are involved i.e., different binders are considered as Factor A and different ages of bamboo biomass dust was considered as Factor B. Based on the results obtained from the study for physical properties, proximate analysis, combustion properties and economics of the pellets showed that the pellets would be the proposed new biomass solid fuel (suitable for burning purpose) and can be used for commercial purpose. In case of bamboo biomass dust, the analyzed parameters are moisture content (%), ash content (%) and gross calorific value (Cal g-1). The data showed that, as the age of bamboo biomass increases, the moisture content (%) and ash content (%) decreases but the gross calorific value (Cal g-1) increased. The depicted results of different parameters for bamboo pellets are studied and resulted that, in particle density (g cm-3) and combustion rate (g s-1), the highest values were showed by 2-year-old bamboo biomass followed by 3-year-old bamboo biomass and lowest value was observed in 1-year-old bamboo biomass. Meanwhile, the properties such as bulk density, percentage volatile matter and percentage ash content showed gradual decrease in values as the age of bamboo biomass increased.
Data availability
All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article and its supplementary information files.
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Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Central Agroforestry Research Institute, Jhansi and no grants received for conduction of this research work.
Funding
For conduction of above research work, we haven’t received any funds. The complete research work was carried with the available resource at AICRP on Agroforestry Research Unit, Dr. PDKV, Akola.
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V. M. Ilorkar and P. D. Raut: conceptualized and designed the study, necessary guidance for analyzing the data, and prepared the first draft of the manuscript. Savi. R. Nimbarte: Conducted research work and analyzed the data Aarti P. Deshmukh: assisted in data collection, statistical analysis, and formatting of the manuscript. K. Pandiyan: supervised the research work, provided critical inputs for interpretation, and reviewed the manuscript. A. D. Bhosale and S. U. Kaple: Assisted in analysis and All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
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Ilorkar, V.M., Raut, P.D., Nimbarte, S.R. et al. Evaluation of bamboo biomass pellets: impact of binder type and age of bamboo on pellet quality and performance. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-40368-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-40368-y
