Thermal properties of fractions of corn stover

The properties of agriculture by-products make them applicable for insulating materials production. One of the potential source of natural insulating material is corn stover, especially the stalks. In the present study the density, specific heat and volumetric specific heat capacity of individual fractions of corn stover were determined. The separation of the corn fractions allowed to identify the most suitable fractions for insulating panels production. Four separated fractions, i.e. stalks, leaves, husks and cobs, were in focus of the study. The specific heat measurements of selected corn factions were carried out with a water calorimeter. The measurements were made for the oven dry materials which were placed in a heat shrinkable membrane to prepare samples of a cylindrical shape. The obtained values of specific heat and volumetric specific heat capacity confirmed that the thermal properties of corn stover fractions should be determined separately. Only leaves and stalks were characterized by similar values of specific heat and volumetric specific heat capacity. The highest value of specific heat equal to 1723 J/(kg.K) was determined for husks. The observed high values of volumetric specific heat capacity determined for all corn stover fractions confirmed their ability of heat accumulation. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.