Low Emission, Smoke Free Charcoal from Oil Palm (Elaeis Guineensis) Waste- A Cheap Energy Source for Rural Communities in Nigeria

Abstract

The use of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) waste as a potential source of soil conditioner in agriculture has long been identified. Its conversion into smokeless and low emission charcoal which is more environmental friendly has not been well investigated. The present study explored conversion of oil palm waste into low emission charcoal. Palm Kernel Fibre (PKF) and Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) were subjected to a pyrolytic process in a Closed Drum Carboniser (CDC). The raw waste and the gaseous emissions that emanated during processing of wastes and during use for cooking were analysed for its mineral composition and emissions of CO, CO₂, SO_2, NO₂ and PM_2.5 contents respectively using potable digital gas monitoring equipment and gravimetric PM sampler. The PKS had low nitrogen: (0.02 ± 0.03) Ma.-% and phosphorus: (0.18 ± 0.10) Ma.-% required for plant growth but high in potassium: (3.24 ± 2.49) Ma.-% which can be recovered from charcoal ash. The time taken to convert 25 kg of PKF and PKS into charcoal and their percentage volume reduction were: 1h: 13 min (90.00 Ma.-%) and 1h: 19 min (70 .00 Ma.-%) respectively. The charcoal produced from PKS exhibited higher stove value for cooking 200 g of rice within 25 min using 0.35 kg of the charcoal as against 28 min and 0.40 kg observed for conventional wood charcoal. The study showed that PKF and PKS form viable feed-stock to produce charcoal which emits less smoke and reduce greenhouse gas emissions when used as cooking fuels in households.

Keywords: Closed drum carboniser, Low emission charcoal, Elaeis guineensis, Oil palm waste, Pyrolytic process, Stove energy value