Analysis of Some Selected Wastes Generated from Bioresource Development Centre, Abagana and Environ to Ascertain their Suitability in Biofuel Production

Abstract

This research investigated the properties of five   different wastes to ascertain their suitability in biofuel production. The wastes investigated were: mung beans shell (MB), black beans shell (BB), castor seed shell (CA), African velvet seed shell (AV), and eucalyptus leaf (EU). For comparison, the properties of danta wood (Nesogordonia papaverifera) sawdust were investigated and the results obtained were compared to those of the wastes. The moisture content, volatile matter content, ash content, fixed carbon content and calorific value of the wastes were analysed using standard methods and compared to that of the sawdust. Some selected metals were analysed in the sawdust and the wastes using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The elemental composition of the wastes and sawdust were obtained using EDX. SEM and FTIR analyses of the materials were carried out. The result obtained showed that the moisture content of the wastes (4.912% to 12.427%) was lower than that of the sawdust (31.479%). Ash content of the wastes (6.315 to 17.399) was higher than that of the sawdust (1.070%). black beans shell showed the lowest volatile matter of 8.265%, followed by the sawdust (16.610%) while the volatile matter of other wastes ranged from 22.824% to 28.376%. the fixed carbon content of the sawdust (50.841%) was lower than that of the wastes which ranged from 57.719% to 66.272%. The AAS analysis showed the wastes have higher concentration of metals : Zn (0.3ppm to 0.48ppm),  Cu (0.9ppm to 2.2ppm), Fe (6.5119 to 19.115ppm), Mg (5.633ppm to 8.844ppm) K (4.72 to 8.29ppm), Na (3.81 to 5.33ppm), Ca (20.77 to 230.95ppm), Pb (ND to 0.176ppm), Cr (ND  to 0.95ppm) than the  sawdust  Zn (0.048ppm) Cu (0.299ppm), Fe (1.507ppm), Mg (4.713ppm) ,K (2.700ppm), Na(4.345ppm), Ca(23.75ppm) Pb(0.215ppm),Cr(0.780ppm). The elemental composition of the wastes shows low concentration of the elements in the wastes, while SEM result revealed the porous and fibrous nature of the used biomasses.  FTIR result revealed the presence of many functional groups in the briquettes.   The results of the analysis showed that the analysed wastes can serve as a good feedstock for biofuel production due to the low elemental compositions, low ash content and low moisture content and high fixed carbon but the sawdust will serve as a better qualities. However, incorporating them into sawdust will help improve their qualities.