THE UTILIZATION OF SACCHARUM SPONTANEUM LINN (TALAHIB GRASS) IN BIOMASS BRIQUETTE PRODUCTION

Abstract

Saccharum spontaneum Linn., commonly known as Talahib Grass in the Philippines, is a fast-growing and widely distributed perennial with high biomass yield potential. Its rapid growth and adaptability to diverse environmental conditions make it a promising candidate for biomass production, offering a sustainable and renewable energy source. The study conducted three trials to compare Talahib Grass (Saccharum spontaneum Linn.) biomass briquettes with commercial briquettes in terms of ignition time, burning duration, moisture content, and density. The goal was to determine whether there were significant differences between the two, assessing the feasibility of Talahib Grass as an alternative biomass fuel source. The findings indicate that Saccharum spontaneum Linn. (Talahib Grass) has the potential to be used as a biomass briquette due to its favorable ignition time, burning duration, moisture content, and density. Compared to commercial biomass briquettes, Talahib Grass demonstrates competitive performance, making it a viable alternative for sustainable fuel production. Further research is necessary to maximize the potential of Talahib Grass (Saccharum spontaneum Linn.) as a biomass briquette, focusing on performance optimization and expanding its applications. Future studies should explore improved processing techniques, combustion efficiency, and environmental impact to enhance its viability as a sustainable fuel alternative.