Browsing by Author "Ayamga, Ezekiel Anabire"

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    Assessment of Lignocellulosic Crop Waste Biomass Potential for Biofuel Production in Lawra-Nandom District
    (2015-02-09) Ayamga, Ezekiel Anabire
    The aim of this study was to assess crop residue biomass potential for second generation biofuel production in the Lawra-Nandom district of Ghana. The specific objectives of the study were: (1) to estimate present and future crop residue biomass with corresponding second generation biofuel production potential and compare with present fuel demand; (2) to evaluate energy balance of ethanol production from crop residue biomass and; (3) assess the financial viability of possible projects. The methods used in this study for data collection included interviews, survey, field and laboratory experiment. The residue to product ratio of four major crops‒maize, sorghum, millet and groundnut stalks as determined in the field were 1.15, 4.75, 5.53 and 1.73 respectively. The findings show that the total annual crop residues production in the Lawra-Nandom district was about 272,000 tonnes. Among the major crops grown in the district, sorghum crop generates the largest quantity of residues, contributing 59% by weight of the total residues. Ethanol production potential was estimated to be 40 million litres if 40% of the average residue generated between 2003 and 2012 were used for energy purposes. The research also estimated that the crop residues produced in the Lawra district will be able to produce enough bioethanol to meet the current and future fuel demand of the district. The net energy balance of the biofuel production process was estimated to be 1,718.7 MJ with a ratio of energy output to input being 1.31‒ this means the production process is beneficial. From the financial analysis, the net present value was calculated to be GHC 2 million with an internal rate of return of 19.3% ‒ this implies that it is financially viable to establish a bioethanol plant in the district.