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Coconut Wastes as Bioresource for Sustainable Energy: Quantifying Wastes, Calorific Values and Emissions in Ghana

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  • George Yaw Obeng

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana)

  • Derrick Yeboah Amoah

    (Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, College of Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana)

  • Richard Opoku

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana)

  • Charles K. K. Sekyere

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana)

  • Eunice Akyereko Adjei

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana)

  • Ebenezer Mensah

    (Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, College of Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana)

Abstract

Coconut husks with the shells attached are potential bioenergy resources for fuel-constrained communities in Ghana. In spite of their energy potential, coconut husks and shells are thrown away or burned raw resulting in poor sanitation and environmental pollution. This study focuses on quantifying the waste proportions, calorific values and pollutant emissions from the burning of raw uncharred and charred coconut wastes in Ghana. Fifty fresh coconuts were randomly sampled, fresh coconut waste samples were sun-dried up to 18 days, and a top-lit updraft biochar unit was used to produce biochar for the study. The heat contents of the coconut waste samples and emissions were determined. From the results, 62–65% of the whole coconut fruit can be generated as wastes. The calorific value of charred coconut wastes was 42% higher than the uncharred coconut wastes. PM 2.5 and CO emissions were higher than the WHO 24 h air quality guidelines (AQG) value at 25 °C, 1 atmosphere, but the CO concentrations met the WHO standards based on exposure time of 15 min to 8 h. Thus, to effectively utilise coconut wastes as sustainable bioresource-based fuel in Ghana, there is the need to switch from open burning to biocharing in a controlled system to maximise the calorific value and minimise smoke emissions.

Suggested Citation

  • George Yaw Obeng & Derrick Yeboah Amoah & Richard Opoku & Charles K. K. Sekyere & Eunice Akyereko Adjei & Ebenezer Mensah, 2020. "Coconut Wastes as Bioresource for Sustainable Energy: Quantifying Wastes, Calorific Values and Emissions in Ghana," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-13, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:9:p:2178-:d:353014
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ram, Mahendra & Mondal, Monoj Kumar, 2018. "Comparative study of native and impregnated coconut husk with pulp and paper industry waste water for fuel gas production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 122-131.
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    Cited by:

    1. David Muñoz-Rodríguez & Pilar Aparicio-Martínez & Alberto-Jesus Perea-Moreno, 2022. "Contribution of Agroforestry Biomass Valorisation to Energy and Environmental Sustainability," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-7, November.
    2. Marek Wieruszewski & Aleksandra Górna & Zygmunt Stanula & Krzysztof Adamowicz, 2022. "Energy Use of Woody Biomass in Poland: Its Resources and Harvesting Form," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-21, September.
    3. Benjamin Doe & Prince Dacosta Aboagye & Paa Kofi Osei-Owusu & Theophilus Amoah & Andrews Aidoo & Nana Yaa Amponsah, 2023. "Towards Circular Economy and Local Economic Development in Ghana: Insights from the Coconut Waste Value Chain," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 3(1), pages 347-372, March.
    4. Naomi Keena & Marco Raugei & Mae-ling Lokko & Mohamed Aly Etman & Vicki Achnani & Barbara K. Reck & Anna Dyson, 2022. "A Life-Cycle Approach to Investigate the Potential of Novel Biobased Construction Materials toward a Circular Built Environment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-19, October.

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