Compositional analysis and projected biofuel potentials from common West African agricultural residues

TY - JOUR

T1 - Compositional analysis and projected biofuel potentials from common West African agricultural residues

AU - Thomsen, Sune Tjalfe

AU - Kádár, Zsófia

AU - Schmidt, Jens Ejbye

PY - 2014

Y1 - 2014

N2 - In recent years the focus on sustainable biofuel production from agricultural residues has increased considerably. However, the scientific work within this field has predominantly been concentrated upon bioresources from industrialised and newly industrialised countries, while analyses of the residues from most developing countries remain sparse. In this study the theoretical bioenergy potentials (bioethanol and biogas) of a spectrum of West African agricultural residues were estimated based on their compositions. We analysed 13 of the most common residues: yam peelings, cassava peelings, cassava stalks, plantain peelings, plantain trunks, plantain leaves, cocoa husks, cocoa pods, maize cobs, maize stalks, rice straw, groundnut straw and oil palm empty fruit bunches. The yam peelings showed the highest methane and bioethanol potentials, with 439L methane (kgTotal Solids)-1 and 0.61L bioethanol (kgTS)-1 based on starch and cellulose alone due to their high starch content and low content of un-biodegradable lignin and ash. A complete biomass balance was done for each of the 13 residues, providing a basis for further research into the production of biofuels or biorefining from West African agricultural residues.

AB - In recent years the focus on sustainable biofuel production from agricultural residues has increased considerably. However, the scientific work within this field has predominantly been concentrated upon bioresources from industrialised and newly industrialised countries, while analyses of the residues from most developing countries remain sparse. In this study the theoretical bioenergy potentials (bioethanol and biogas) of a spectrum of West African agricultural residues were estimated based on their compositions. We analysed 13 of the most common residues: yam peelings, cassava peelings, cassava stalks, plantain peelings, plantain trunks, plantain leaves, cocoa husks, cocoa pods, maize cobs, maize stalks, rice straw, groundnut straw and oil palm empty fruit bunches. The yam peelings showed the highest methane and bioethanol potentials, with 439L methane (kgTotal Solids)-1 and 0.61L bioethanol (kgTS)-1 based on starch and cellulose alone due to their high starch content and low content of un-biodegradable lignin and ash. A complete biomass balance was done for each of the 13 residues, providing a basis for further research into the production of biofuels or biorefining from West African agricultural residues.

KW - Bioethanol

KW - Biogas

KW - Biomass

KW - Composition

KW - Residue

KW - West Africa

U2 - 10.1016/j.biombioe.2014.01.045

DO - 10.1016/j.biombioe.2014.01.045

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:84897466411

SN - 0961-9534

VL - 63

SP - 210

EP - 217

JO - Biomass & Bioenergy

JF - Biomass & Bioenergy

ER -