Evaluation of the higher heating value, volatile matter, fixed carbon and ash content of ground bamboo using near infrared spectroscopy

This research aimed to determine the higher heating value, volatile matter, fixed carbon and ash content of ground bamboo using Fourier transform near infrared spectroscopy as an alternative to bomb calorimetry and thermogravimetry. Bamboo culms used in this study had circumferences ranging from 16 to 40 cm. Model development was performed using partial least squares regression. The higher heating value, volatile matter, fixed carbon and ash content were predicted with coefficients of determination (r²) of 0.92, 0.82, 0.85 and 0.51; root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of 122 J g^-1, 1.15%, 1.00% and 0.77%; ratio of the standard deviation to standard error of validation (RPD) of 3.66, 2.55, 2.62 and 1.44; and bias of 14.4 J g^-1, -0.43%, 0.03% and -0.11%, respectively. This report shows that near infrared spectroscopy is quite successful in predicting the higher heating value, and is usable with screening for the determination of fixed carbon and volatile matter. For ash content, the method is not recommended. The models should be able to predict the properties of bamboo samples which are suitable for achieving higher efficiency for the biomass conversion process.