Energetic potential of plant biomass and its use

A calorific value of various biomass samples (waste of wood, paper, textile, agricultural plants) and liquid biofuels (bioethanol, biodiesel) has been studied in this paper. In addition, a specific combustion heat of the biomass samples was calculated, which almost was coincided with the experimental heating value. It was established that the specific combustion heat of the investigated solid plant materials was from 11 to 25 MJ/kg. The calorific value of the liquid biofuels was from 27 to 37 MJ/kg, i.e. it was higher than the calorific value of the solid biomass samples. Despite of this fact, a most efficient way of the energy production is the direct burning of the plant biomass, while the burning of such amount of the liquid biofuel, which can be obtained from the plant material, gives a much smaller energetic effect.