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Bagasse particle is used in energy generation, and the usual method for determining their size distribution is sieving. Traditional methods for measuring the bagasse particle size distribution, such as sieving, do not evaluate the effect of the irregular particle shape, producing results that are not always applicable to the prediction of fluid dynamic behavior. This work determined size distribution of bagasse particles considering their aerodynamic behavior. Physical-chemical characterization was performed in different particle sizes of the bagasse. A particulate elutriation and settling system was developed to determine the terminal velocity distribution of particles. Drag coefficients and terminal velocities measured were compared with literature correlations. Almost all the correlations analyzed showed significant deviations from the values obtained experimentally. Haider and Levenspiel’s correlation showed the smallest average deviation. Two types of particles were observed in bagasse: fibers and spongy pith. The apparent density of the particles depends on the particle size, and the ash concentration in smaller fractions is 3 times larger than the average. The method of aerodynamic separation for the characterization of bagasse particle allowed to obtain information that cannot be found by the traditional method of separation by sieving.

This study sought to quantify and characterize cassava waste as fuel. The wastes from three cultivars were collected to study and were divided into three distinct parts of the cassava plant: seed stem, thick stalks, and thin stalks. Physical and chemical analyzes were carried out to determine the elemental composition of the waste: volatile matter; fixed carbon; ash; moisture; lignin; cellulose; hemicellulose; ash composition and higher heating value were determined. We conducted a thermogravimetric analysis in oxidizing and inert atmospheres to study the behavior of the waste as fuel. The root productivity obtained ranged from 7.7 to 13.0 t ha−1 yr−1 on a dry basis (db), and the ratio between waste and roots varied from 0.36 to 0.91. The physical and chemical properties of cassava waste are analogous to those of woody biomass regarding the elemental composition, the higher heating value, and thermogravimetric analysis. Ash content varied from 2.5% to 3.5%, reaching around 6.0% in samples unwashed. Approximately 60% of the ashes are alkali oxides, especially P2O5, K2O, and CaO, which have low melting points. The alkali index calculated suggests that there is a strong tendency that the combustion process leads to ash fouling and the formation of ash deposits.