Assessment of power generation potential from the cofiring of Elaeis Guineensis Residues with coal pellets in a popular Nigerian palm oil research institute

ABSTRACT

The effect of cofiring elaeis guineensis residues with coal pellets for power generation was investigated. Samples of elaeis guineensis residues (palm kernel shell (PKS), palm fiber (PF) and empty fruit bunch (EFB)), and coal were collected and pulverized. The pellets were thereafter produced mechanically, using an optimized mixing ratio of 80:20. Coal palm kernel shell (CPKS), coal palm fiber (CPF), coal empty fruit bunch (CEFB), and coal (C) pellets were thereafter produced and characterized in accordance with the ASTM standard. Results obtained show that the caloric values of CPKS, CPF, CEFB, and C pellet were 28033 kJ/kg, 27695 kJ/kg, 27687 kJ/kg and 22021 kJ/kg, respectively. While the % ash was 11.15%, 12.97%, 12.75%, 14.89%; % sulfur was 0.7%, 0.71%, 0.73% and 0.76% for CPKS, CPF, CEFB, and C, respectively. Four case scenarios; A (raw biomass without power generation), B (raw biomass with power generation), C (raw biomass converted to pellets) and D (raw biomass blended with coal pellets) were compared. Case D was found to have the highest power generation potential and energy utilization efficiency of 3.378 MW and 84.43%, respectively. Cofiring of elaeis guineensis residues with the coal pellets, reduced percentage ash and sulfur contents of combusted pure coal.

KEYWORDS:

• Elaeis guineensis
• residues
• coal pellets
• power generation
• efficiency

Acknowledgments

The authors appreciate the Academic Research and Entrepreneurship Development (A-RED) Initiative, Asaba, Nigeria, for support and supply of literature for the revision of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

Authors hereby declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Authors’ contributions

Onochie, U.P. conceived the study idea and established the guiding framework. The laboratory work, data gathering and analysis were coordinated by Onochie U. P and Otomi K O. Owamah H.I revised the manuscript following the comments from the anonymous reviewers, gave further interpretation to data obtained and edited the English of the manuscript. Onochie P.U., Ikpeseni S. C and Adingwupu, A. C drafted the original manuscript and organized the data obtained for better clarity and understanding. Onochie, U.P and Hilary Ijeoma Owamah handled the submission processes and correspondences.