Exploring the potential of coconut shell biomass for charcoal production
Coconut shells are produced in a vast amount around tropical countries that needs to be utilized properly. Thermochemical methods are the main route for converting biomass to charcoal. Percentage of some relative factors in the biomass such as low-density, low caloric value, high ash, SOX, NOX, mois...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2022-01-01
|
| Series: | Ain Shams Engineering Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2090447921002355 |
| _version_ | 1831701896187871232 |
|---|---|
| author | Rabi Kabir Ahmad Shaharin Anwar Sulaiman Suzana Yusup Sharul Sham Dol Muddasser Inayat Hadiza Aminu Umar |
| author_facet | Rabi Kabir Ahmad Shaharin Anwar Sulaiman Suzana Yusup Sharul Sham Dol Muddasser Inayat Hadiza Aminu Umar |
| author_sort | Rabi Kabir Ahmad |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Coconut shells are produced in a vast amount around tropical countries that needs to be utilized properly. Thermochemical methods are the main route for converting biomass to charcoal. Percentage of some relative factors in the biomass such as low-density, low caloric value, high ash, SOX, NOX, moisture content, microstructure, and complex elements are its major drawbacks. Nevertheless, no scientific studies were conducted on the carbonization of converting coconut shells to charcoal from local to global scales. Therefore, comprehensive and precise data on its production is limited. To overcome these problems; biomass materials need to be evaluated to assure the suitability of the biomass for the thermochemical process to curtail the yearning of energy demand. For the overall efficiency of the biomass conversion processes into the preference biomass-derived fuel, it is important to understand the physicochemical characteristics of the biomass. The paper aims at understanding the specialties of coconut shell biomass, which is directly used for thermochemical conversion mainly for charcoal production via; chemical structure, energy potential, and morphological analysis. The biomass exhibits a high: density of 412 kg/m3, a calorific value of 19.4 MJ/kg, fixed carbon of 21.8%, a volatile matter of 70.8%, carbon of 40.1%, and low amount moisture of 5.6%, and ash of 1.8%. EDX and XRF analysis revealed a low amount of complex heavy metals, trace amounts of sulfur, and nitrogen, thus pre-treatment is not required before its utilization, ideal for thermochemical conversion. The coconut shell possesses amorphous and crystalline carbonaceous materials based on the XRD spectrum. The morphology on FESEM images and surface area analysis shows that the coconut shell contains heterogeneous shapes and scales of macro-pores with high surface area and porosity in nature. These essential qualities are suitable for charcoal production, activated carbon, insect repellent, filler, incense sticks, and other applications. Coconut shell possesses remarkable properties such as carbon-rich and environmentally friendly solid fuel to other biomass and coal materials; hence, it is possible to produce alternative energy from coconut shell biomass due to its several characteristics. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T15:11:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-526b49198b154e6b8a709375c2e080b8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2090-4479 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T15:11:37Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ain Shams Engineering Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-526b49198b154e6b8a709375c2e080b82022-12-21T19:36:19ZengElsevierAin Shams Engineering Journal2090-44792022-01-01131101499Exploring the potential of coconut shell biomass for charcoal productionRabi Kabir Ahmad0Shaharin Anwar Sulaiman1Suzana Yusup2Sharul Sham Dol3Muddasser Inayat4Hadiza Aminu Umar5Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia; Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Bayero University Kano, 3011 Kano, Nigeria.; Corresponding author.Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak, MalaysiaHICoE Centre for Biofuel and Biochemical Research (CBBR), Institute of Sustainable Building, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak, MalaysiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak, MalaysiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak, MalaysiaCoconut shells are produced in a vast amount around tropical countries that needs to be utilized properly. Thermochemical methods are the main route for converting biomass to charcoal. Percentage of some relative factors in the biomass such as low-density, low caloric value, high ash, SOX, NOX, moisture content, microstructure, and complex elements are its major drawbacks. Nevertheless, no scientific studies were conducted on the carbonization of converting coconut shells to charcoal from local to global scales. Therefore, comprehensive and precise data on its production is limited. To overcome these problems; biomass materials need to be evaluated to assure the suitability of the biomass for the thermochemical process to curtail the yearning of energy demand. For the overall efficiency of the biomass conversion processes into the preference biomass-derived fuel, it is important to understand the physicochemical characteristics of the biomass. The paper aims at understanding the specialties of coconut shell biomass, which is directly used for thermochemical conversion mainly for charcoal production via; chemical structure, energy potential, and morphological analysis. The biomass exhibits a high: density of 412 kg/m3, a calorific value of 19.4 MJ/kg, fixed carbon of 21.8%, a volatile matter of 70.8%, carbon of 40.1%, and low amount moisture of 5.6%, and ash of 1.8%. EDX and XRF analysis revealed a low amount of complex heavy metals, trace amounts of sulfur, and nitrogen, thus pre-treatment is not required before its utilization, ideal for thermochemical conversion. The coconut shell possesses amorphous and crystalline carbonaceous materials based on the XRD spectrum. The morphology on FESEM images and surface area analysis shows that the coconut shell contains heterogeneous shapes and scales of macro-pores with high surface area and porosity in nature. These essential qualities are suitable for charcoal production, activated carbon, insect repellent, filler, incense sticks, and other applications. Coconut shell possesses remarkable properties such as carbon-rich and environmentally friendly solid fuel to other biomass and coal materials; hence, it is possible to produce alternative energy from coconut shell biomass due to its several characteristics.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2090447921002355Coconut shell biomassThermochemical conversionCharcoalCharacterizationAnalytical techniques |
| spellingShingle | Rabi Kabir Ahmad Shaharin Anwar Sulaiman Suzana Yusup Sharul Sham Dol Muddasser Inayat Hadiza Aminu Umar Exploring the potential of coconut shell biomass for charcoal production Ain Shams Engineering Journal Coconut shell biomass Thermochemical conversion Charcoal Characterization Analytical techniques |
| title | Exploring the potential of coconut shell biomass for charcoal production |
| title_full | Exploring the potential of coconut shell biomass for charcoal production |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the potential of coconut shell biomass for charcoal production |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the potential of coconut shell biomass for charcoal production |
| title_short | Exploring the potential of coconut shell biomass for charcoal production |
| title_sort | exploring the potential of coconut shell biomass for charcoal production |
| topic | Coconut shell biomass Thermochemical conversion Charcoal Characterization Analytical techniques |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2090447921002355 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rabikabirahmad exploringthepotentialofcoconutshellbiomassforcharcoalproduction AT shaharinanwarsulaiman exploringthepotentialofcoconutshellbiomassforcharcoalproduction AT suzanayusup exploringthepotentialofcoconutshellbiomassforcharcoalproduction AT sharulshamdol exploringthepotentialofcoconutshellbiomassforcharcoalproduction AT muddasserinayat exploringthepotentialofcoconutshellbiomassforcharcoalproduction AT hadizaaminuumar exploringthepotentialofcoconutshellbiomassforcharcoalproduction |