Physico-Chemical And Combustion Properties Of Cocoa Pod Husk Pellets
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Date
2019-11
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KNUST
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The increasing bad effects of fossil fuel and traditional biomass (wood) on the environment and the health of individuals has attracted the interest in the search for alternate cleaner source of energy. Attention has therefore been drawn on the utilization of agricultural residues such cocoa pod husk, cassava peels and other residues for energy generation. This study investigates the use of cocoa pod husk to produce pellets which could be used as cooking fuel. Cocoa pod husk (CPH) was sun-dried, charred and crushed to obtain particle size less than 1 mm using a screen. CPH and binder (starch) was pelletized in a proportion of 4:1 (20 % binder), 3:1 (25 % binder), and 7:3 (30 % binder). Proximate and ultimate analysis was performed on the pellets to examine their Physical and combustion characteristics at each binder ratio. Pellets of binder ratio 20 % (4:1) produced compressed and relaxed densities of 1.04 g/cm³ and 0.85 g/cm³, with relaxation ratio of 1.23 lower than all the other binding ratios. Which gives an indication of a more stable pellets for mechanical handling, transportation and storage. Again, 20 % binder recorded the highest durability of 95.63% than 25% and 30% binder which recorded 83.3 and 67.3 respectively. Which implies that pellets produced with lower concentration of binders (starch) are more durable and resistant to mechanical stresses. Calorific values for the 20 %, 25 % and 30 % binder were 13.8 MJ/kg, 13.3 MJ/kg and 13.9 MJ/kg respectively. The result shows that pellets with 30 % binder has the potential to produce high heat energy for domestic purposes, but 20 % binder has much higher potential due to its advantageous physical characteristics. The binder therefore had a high significant effect on the properties of the pellets expect for the calorific value which produced closed values.
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Dissertation Submitted To The Department Of Agricultural And Biosystems Engineering In Partial Fulfilment Of The Requirement For The Award Mphil. Agroenvironmental Engineering