Investigation of the Energy Capabilities of Selected Agricultural Wastes in a Fluidized-Bed Combustor

Abstract

The increasing global energy demand and the desire for clean, affordable and reliable energy has necessitated using alternative fuel sources. Agricultural wastes are biofuels which are an alternative renewable energy source. The current utilization of agricultural wastes as fuel in energy production has reduced the felling of trees for firewood curbing deforestation and reducing the overdependence on rapidly depleting fossil fuels. This study selected two agricultural wastes: groundnut shell (GS) and sugarcane bagasse (SB), as biomass fuels. The study examined the energy capabilities of GS and SB as possible, solid biofuel for process heat production and electricity generation through a fluidized bed for clean combustion and controlled greenhouse gases (GHGs) that would result from their use. The higher heating value (HHV) of GS (18035kJ/kg) is higher than that of SB (16029.88 kJ/kg), Other combustion characteristics indicated that the GS had an excellent heat rate of 501.05kJ/kg over the SB with 451.20kJ/kg despite their similar combustion efficiency. Nevertheless, both biofuels have the potential for use as renewable energy sources. These biomass fuels would replace fossil fuel combustion as a primary energy source, and this is vital globally.