Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) biomass as a source for energy production

Abstract

Due to their rapid spread and reproduction, invasive plant species adversely affect agricultural production, the biodiversity of other species, as well as human health. They can be used as a potential raw material for energy production after mechanical removal to reduce their population without using herbicides. Ragweed belongs to the group of foreign invasive species, mainly as a weed, it can be found in crops, and its pollen causes allergies in humans. This paper aimed to investigate the energy properties of ragweed and the possibility of its use in thermal energy production. The results show that ragweed is a solid energy source for direct combustion, with a slightly higher proportion of ash, which negatively affects the energy properties.