Constituent analyses of representative biomass types

Table 2.3.1 presents representative compositions of major biomass types. Although there are

exceptions, the main components of terrestrial biomass in order of amount from high to low are cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and proteins. Aquatic biomass has different compositions. While Table 2.3.1 shows plant biomass, Table 2.3.2 gives the compositions of sludge and other waste biomass types with high moisture content. Tables 2.3.1 and 2.3.2 use a different composition classification. Cellulose and lignin in Table 2.3.1 are represented by fiber in Table 2.3.2, while hemicellulose in Table 2.3.1 comes under carbohydrates in Table 2.3.2.

Table 2.3.1. Typical chemical analyses of representative biomass (Part 1) (wt%)

Category of biomass

Marine

Freshwater

Herbaceous

Woody

Waste

Giant brown kelp

Water

hyacinth

Bermuda

grass

Hybrid poplar

Refuse-derived fuel (RDF)

Cellulose

4.8

16.2

31.7

41.3

65.6

Hemicellulose

55.5

40.2

32.9

11.2

Lignin

6.1

4.1

25.6

3.1

Mannitol

18.7

Alginin

14.2

Crude protein

15.9

12.3

12.3

2.1

3.5

Ash

45.8

22.4

5.0

1.0

16.7

Total*

112.5

93.3

102.9

100.1

* Totals may not necessarily be 100 because each component was measured with a different method.

Table 2.3.2. Typical chemical analyses of representative biomass (Part 2: Waste biomass with high moisture content). (wt%)

Feedstock

biomass

Alcohol

fermentation

stillage

(rice)

Alcohol fermentation stillage (sweet potato)

Starch

sludge

Microalgae

(Dunaliella)

Aquatic

(Water

hyacinth)

Sewage

Sludge

Moisture

content

76.7

88.6

82.2

78.4

85.2

76.7

Ash a)

1.3

4.4

23

23.6

19.6

16.4

b)

Fat

8.3

1.8

0.7

20.5

2.5

12.9

Protein

56.5

28.5

59.6

63.6

24.4

42.3

Crude fiber

2.1

11.9

5.4

1.2

20.6

18.1

Carbohydrates

33

57.8

34.3

14.7

52.5

26.7

b)

C

47.9

47.3

44.6

53.3

47.6

51.4

H

6.7

7

7.2

5.2

6.1

7.9

N

7.5

4.2

9

9.8

3.7

6.5

O

37.9

41.5

48.2

31.7

42.1

40.7

a) Based on dry weight.

b) Based on organic content.

Further information

Ogi, T. in “Biomass Handbook”, Japan Institute of Ed., Ohm-sha, 2002, PP.12-15 (in Japanese)