Physicochemical Characterisation of Water Hyacinth and Siam Weed for Bioethanol Production

This study was designed to investigate the physicochemical characteristics of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) to evaluate their suitability as bioethanol feedstocks. Proximate analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and calorific value measurements were performed. Water hyacinth showed lower moisture (۷.۵%) and fixed carbon (۱۲.۱%), with higher volatile matter (۶۳.۹%) relative to Siam weed’s ۸.۷% moisture content, ۱۶.۸% fixed carbon, and ۶۱.۵% volatile matter, respectively, suggesting better fermentable fraction accessibility. The FTIR spectra of both biomasses confirmed characteristic lignocellulosic features, with water hyacinth exhibiting relatively stronger O–H/C–O signals and Siam weed exhibiting stronger aromatic C=C signals, consistent with its higher lignin contribution. The TGA revealed earlier decomposition and lower char residue in water hyacinth compared to Siam weed. Calorific values were ۱۰.۸۰ MJ/kg for water hyacinth and ۱۱.۱۳ MJ/kg for Siam weed. The findings showed that water hyacinth offered more favourable characteristics for enzymatic hydrolysis and bioethanol conversion compared to Siam weed.

کلیدواژه ها:

Water hyacinth ، Siam weed ، Proximate analysis ، FTIR ، bioethanol