Evaluation of Fuel Properties of Six Tropical Hardwood Timber Species for Briquettes
The fuel potential of six tropical hardwood species
namely: Triplochiton scleroxylon, Ceiba pentandra, Aningeria
robusta, Terminalia superba, Celtis mildbreadii and Piptadenia
africana were studied. Properties studied included species density,
gross calorific value, volatile matter, ash content, organic carbon and
elemental composition. Fuel properties were determined using
standard laboratory methods. The result indicates that the gross
calorific value (GCV) of the species ranged from 20.16 to 22.22
MJ/kg and they slightly varied from each other. Additionally, the
GCV of the biomass materials were higher than that of other biomass
materials like; wheat straw, rice straw, maize straw and sugar cane.
The ash and volatile matter content varied from 0.6075 to 5.0407%,
and 75.23% to 83.70% respectively. The overall rating of the
properties of the six biomass materials suggested that Piptadenia
africana has the best fuel property to be used as briquettes and
Aningeria robusta the worse. This study therefore suggests that a
holistic assessment of a biomass material needs to be done before
selecting it for fuel purpose.
[1] M. H. Duku, S. Gu and E. B. Hagan, "A comprehensive review of
biomass resources and biofuels potential in Ghana," Renewable and
Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 15, 2011, pp. 404-415.
[2] Energy Commission, "Strategic National Energy Plan 2006-2020 -
Energy supply to the economy," Energy Commission, 2006. Website
http://energycom.gov.gh/files/snep/WOOD%20FUEL%20final%20PD.p
df
[3] K. Nendel, B. Clauß and U. Böttger, "The preconditioning of biomass by
briquetting technology and the influence on the combustion behaviour,"
The 10th European Conference on Biomass for Energy and industry,
June 1998, Würzburg, Germany.
[4] J.T. Oladeji, "Fuel Characterization of Briquettes Produced from
Corncob and Rice Husk Resides," The Pacific Journal of Science and
Technology, Vol. 11, No. 1, 2010, pp. 101-106.
[5] FAOSTAT, "Crop production in Ghana in 2010," Food and Agriculture
Organisation of the UN, Rome, Italy (2010). Web site
http://faostat.fao.org/site/339/default.aspx
[6] OECD/IEA: Sustainable production of second-generation biofuels,
potential and perspectives in major economies and developing countries.
Information paper, Paris (2010). Web site
http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/biofuels_ex
ec_summary.pdf
[7] ITTO, "Annual review and assessment of the world timber situation,"
International Tropical Timber Organisation, 2008.
[8] S. J. Mitchual, K. Frimpong-Mensah and N. A. Darkwa, "Effect of
species, particle size and compacting pressure on relaxed density and
compressive strength of fuel," International Journal of Energy and
Environmental Engineering, Vol. 4, No. 30, 2013, 6 pages. doi:
10.1186/2251-6832-4-30
[9] S. J. Mitchual, K. Frimpong-Mensah, N. A. Darkwa and J. O. Akowuah,
Briquettes from combination of maize cobs and Ceiba pentandra at
room temperature and low compacting pressure without a binder.
International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering. Vol. 4,
No. 38, 2013, 7 pages. Doi: 10.1186/2251-6832-4-38
[10] T. Demirbas and C. Demirbas, "Fuel properties of wood species."
Energy Sources, Vol. 31, No. 16, 2009, pp. 1464-1472.
DOI: 10.1080/15567030802093153.
[11] V. Saravanan, K. T. Parthiban, P. Kumar, P. V Anbu. and P. P. Ganesh,
"Evaluation of Fuel Wood Properties of Melia dubia at Different Age
Gradation," Research Journal of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences,
Vol. 1, No. 6, 2013, pp. 8-11.
[12] ASTM International, ASTM standard D2395–2007a: Standard test
methods for specific gravity of wood and wood-based materials. ASTM
International, West Conshohocken, 2008.
[13] ASTM International, ASTM standard E711-87, Standard test method for
gross calorific value of refuse-derived fuel by the bomb calorimeter,
2012. Web site
http://ia600806.us.archive.org/23/items/gov.law.astm.e711.1987/astm.
[14] ASTM International, ASTM D 1102 - 84 (2007), "Test method for ash
in wood," Annual Book of ASTM Standards, 2008, pp. 153-154.
[15] ASTM International, ASTM D3175 - 11, "Standard Test Method for
Volatile Matter in the Analysis Sample of Coal and Coke," Annual Book
of ASTM Standards, 2008, 153-154.
[16] FAO guide to laboratory test, 2008.
[17] M. R. Motsara and N. R. Roy, "Guide to Laboratory establishment for
plant nutrient analysis," 19th Edition, FAO-Rome, Italy, 2008, pp. 42-88.
[18] E.O. Mclean, "Aluminium in methods of Soil Analysis," America
Science Agronomy, Madisori, Wisconsin, 1965, pp. 978-998.
[19] W. Horwitz and G. W. Latimer, "Official Methods of Analysis of
AOAC International," Association of official Analytical Chemistry
International, 18th Edition, Maryland USA, 2005.
[20] S. J. Mitchual, "Densification of sawdust of tropical hardwoods and
maize cobs at room temperature using low compacting pressure without
a binder," PhD Thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies,
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi,
Ghana, 2013. [21] B. Hahn, "Existing Guidelines and Quality Assurance for Fuel Pellets-
Pellets for Europe Project," UMBERA, Umweltorientierte
Betriebsberatungs-, Forschungs- und Entsorgungs-Gesellschaft m.b.H,
2004.
[22] S. E. Corder, "Fuel characteristics of wood and bark and factors
affecting heat recovery," Madison, WI. USDA Forest Products
Laboratory, 1976.
[23] R. Stahl, E. Henrich, H. J. Gehrmann, S. Vodegel and M. Koch,
"Definition of a standard biomass," RENEW - Renewable fuels for
advanced power trains, 2004.
[24] J. M. Ebeling, and B. M. Jenkins, "Physical and chemical properties of
biomass fuels," Transaction of the ASAE. Vol. 28, No. 3, 1985, pp. 898-
902.
[25] G. A. Payne, "The energy managers handbook," Guildford, Surrey, UK:
Westbury House, 1980.
[26] J. O. Akowuah, F. Kemausuor, and S. J. Mitchual, "Physico-chemical
characteristics and market potential of sawdust charcoal briquettes,"
International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Vol. 3,
No. 30, 2012, 6 pages. Doi:10.1186/2251-6832-3-20.
[27] D. Vamvuka, N. E. Chatib and S. Sfakiotakis, "Measurements of
Ignition Point and Combustion Characteristics of Biomass Fuels and
their Blends with Lignite," Proceedings of the European Combustion
Meeting, 2011.
[28] P. D. Grover and S. K. Mishra, "Biomass briquetting: Technology and
practice," Regional wood energy development programme in Asia. Food
and agricultural organization. Field document No. 46, 1996.
[29] Extension (Unpublished) Woody biomass properties. Web site:
www.extension.org/pages/26517/woody-biomass.properties.
[30] S. Sillman, "Tropospheric ozone and photochemical smog, in B.
Sherwood Lollar, ed., Treatise on Geochemistry, Environmental
Geochemistry, Ch. 11, Elsevier, Vol. 9, 2003.
http://www.TreatiseOnGeochemistry.com
[31] B. M. Jenkins, L. L. Baxter, T. R. Miles Jr, and T. R. Miles,
"Combustion properties of biomass," Fuel Processing Technology, Vol.
54, 1998, pp. 17- 46.
[32] R. Singh, N. Gautam, A. Mishra, and R. Gupta, "Heavy metals and
living systems: An overview," Indian Journal of Pharmacology, Vol.
43, No. 3, 2011, pp. 246–253, doi:10.4103/0253-7613.81505
[33] P. Abbot, J. Lowore, C. Khofi and M. Werren, "Defining firewood
quality: a comparison of quantitative and rapid appraisal techniques to
evaluate firewood species from a Southern African savannah," Biomass
and Bioenergy, Vol. 12, No. 6, 1997, pp. 429-437.
[1] M. H. Duku, S. Gu and E. B. Hagan, "A comprehensive review of
biomass resources and biofuels potential in Ghana," Renewable and
Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 15, 2011, pp. 404-415.
[2] Energy Commission, "Strategic National Energy Plan 2006-2020 -
Energy supply to the economy," Energy Commission, 2006. Website
http://energycom.gov.gh/files/snep/WOOD%20FUEL%20final%20PD.p
df
[3] K. Nendel, B. Clauß and U. Böttger, "The preconditioning of biomass by
briquetting technology and the influence on the combustion behaviour,"
The 10th European Conference on Biomass for Energy and industry,
June 1998, Würzburg, Germany.
[4] J.T. Oladeji, "Fuel Characterization of Briquettes Produced from
Corncob and Rice Husk Resides," The Pacific Journal of Science and
Technology, Vol. 11, No. 1, 2010, pp. 101-106.
[5] FAOSTAT, "Crop production in Ghana in 2010," Food and Agriculture
Organisation of the UN, Rome, Italy (2010). Web site
http://faostat.fao.org/site/339/default.aspx
[6] OECD/IEA: Sustainable production of second-generation biofuels,
potential and perspectives in major economies and developing countries.
Information paper, Paris (2010). Web site
http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/biofuels_ex
ec_summary.pdf
[7] ITTO, "Annual review and assessment of the world timber situation,"
International Tropical Timber Organisation, 2008.
[8] S. J. Mitchual, K. Frimpong-Mensah and N. A. Darkwa, "Effect of
species, particle size and compacting pressure on relaxed density and
compressive strength of fuel," International Journal of Energy and
Environmental Engineering, Vol. 4, No. 30, 2013, 6 pages. doi:
10.1186/2251-6832-4-30
[9] S. J. Mitchual, K. Frimpong-Mensah, N. A. Darkwa and J. O. Akowuah,
Briquettes from combination of maize cobs and Ceiba pentandra at
room temperature and low compacting pressure without a binder.
International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering. Vol. 4,
No. 38, 2013, 7 pages. Doi: 10.1186/2251-6832-4-38
[10] T. Demirbas and C. Demirbas, "Fuel properties of wood species."
Energy Sources, Vol. 31, No. 16, 2009, pp. 1464-1472.
DOI: 10.1080/15567030802093153.
[11] V. Saravanan, K. T. Parthiban, P. Kumar, P. V Anbu. and P. P. Ganesh,
"Evaluation of Fuel Wood Properties of Melia dubia at Different Age
Gradation," Research Journal of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences,
Vol. 1, No. 6, 2013, pp. 8-11.
[12] ASTM International, ASTM standard D2395–2007a: Standard test
methods for specific gravity of wood and wood-based materials. ASTM
International, West Conshohocken, 2008.
[13] ASTM International, ASTM standard E711-87, Standard test method for
gross calorific value of refuse-derived fuel by the bomb calorimeter,
2012. Web site
http://ia600806.us.archive.org/23/items/gov.law.astm.e711.1987/astm.
[14] ASTM International, ASTM D 1102 - 84 (2007), "Test method for ash
in wood," Annual Book of ASTM Standards, 2008, pp. 153-154.
[15] ASTM International, ASTM D3175 - 11, "Standard Test Method for
Volatile Matter in the Analysis Sample of Coal and Coke," Annual Book
of ASTM Standards, 2008, 153-154.
[16] FAO guide to laboratory test, 2008.
[17] M. R. Motsara and N. R. Roy, "Guide to Laboratory establishment for
plant nutrient analysis," 19th Edition, FAO-Rome, Italy, 2008, pp. 42-88.
[18] E.O. Mclean, "Aluminium in methods of Soil Analysis," America
Science Agronomy, Madisori, Wisconsin, 1965, pp. 978-998.
[19] W. Horwitz and G. W. Latimer, "Official Methods of Analysis of
AOAC International," Association of official Analytical Chemistry
International, 18th Edition, Maryland USA, 2005.
[20] S. J. Mitchual, "Densification of sawdust of tropical hardwoods and
maize cobs at room temperature using low compacting pressure without
a binder," PhD Thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies,
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi,
Ghana, 2013. [21] B. Hahn, "Existing Guidelines and Quality Assurance for Fuel Pellets-
Pellets for Europe Project," UMBERA, Umweltorientierte
Betriebsberatungs-, Forschungs- und Entsorgungs-Gesellschaft m.b.H,
2004.
[22] S. E. Corder, "Fuel characteristics of wood and bark and factors
affecting heat recovery," Madison, WI. USDA Forest Products
Laboratory, 1976.
[23] R. Stahl, E. Henrich, H. J. Gehrmann, S. Vodegel and M. Koch,
"Definition of a standard biomass," RENEW - Renewable fuels for
advanced power trains, 2004.
[24] J. M. Ebeling, and B. M. Jenkins, "Physical and chemical properties of
biomass fuels," Transaction of the ASAE. Vol. 28, No. 3, 1985, pp. 898-
902.
[25] G. A. Payne, "The energy managers handbook," Guildford, Surrey, UK:
Westbury House, 1980.
[26] J. O. Akowuah, F. Kemausuor, and S. J. Mitchual, "Physico-chemical
characteristics and market potential of sawdust charcoal briquettes,"
International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Vol. 3,
No. 30, 2012, 6 pages. Doi:10.1186/2251-6832-3-20.
[27] D. Vamvuka, N. E. Chatib and S. Sfakiotakis, "Measurements of
Ignition Point and Combustion Characteristics of Biomass Fuels and
their Blends with Lignite," Proceedings of the European Combustion
Meeting, 2011.
[28] P. D. Grover and S. K. Mishra, "Biomass briquetting: Technology and
practice," Regional wood energy development programme in Asia. Food
and agricultural organization. Field document No. 46, 1996.
[29] Extension (Unpublished) Woody biomass properties. Web site:
www.extension.org/pages/26517/woody-biomass.properties.
[30] S. Sillman, "Tropospheric ozone and photochemical smog, in B.
Sherwood Lollar, ed., Treatise on Geochemistry, Environmental
Geochemistry, Ch. 11, Elsevier, Vol. 9, 2003.
http://www.TreatiseOnGeochemistry.com
[31] B. M. Jenkins, L. L. Baxter, T. R. Miles Jr, and T. R. Miles,
"Combustion properties of biomass," Fuel Processing Technology, Vol.
54, 1998, pp. 17- 46.
[32] R. Singh, N. Gautam, A. Mishra, and R. Gupta, "Heavy metals and
living systems: An overview," Indian Journal of Pharmacology, Vol.
43, No. 3, 2011, pp. 246–253, doi:10.4103/0253-7613.81505
[33] P. Abbot, J. Lowore, C. Khofi and M. Werren, "Defining firewood
quality: a comparison of quantitative and rapid appraisal techniques to
evaluate firewood species from a Southern African savannah," Biomass
and Bioenergy, Vol. 12, No. 6, 1997, pp. 429-437.
@article{"International Journal of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences:70849", author = "S. J. Mitchual and K. Frimpong-Mensah and N. A. Darkwa", title = "Evaluation of Fuel Properties of Six Tropical Hardwood Timber Species for Briquettes", abstract = "The fuel potential of six tropical hardwood species
namely: Triplochiton scleroxylon, Ceiba pentandra, Aningeria
robusta, Terminalia superba, Celtis mildbreadii and Piptadenia
africana were studied. Properties studied included species density,
gross calorific value, volatile matter, ash content, organic carbon and
elemental composition. Fuel properties were determined using
standard laboratory methods. The result indicates that the gross
calorific value (GCV) of the species ranged from 20.16 to 22.22
MJ/kg and they slightly varied from each other. Additionally, the
GCV of the biomass materials were higher than that of other biomass
materials like; wheat straw, rice straw, maize straw and sugar cane.
The ash and volatile matter content varied from 0.6075 to 5.0407%,
and 75.23% to 83.70% respectively. The overall rating of the
properties of the six biomass materials suggested that Piptadenia
africana has the best fuel property to be used as briquettes and
Aningeria robusta the worse. This study therefore suggests that a
holistic assessment of a biomass material needs to be done before
selecting it for fuel purpose.", keywords = "Ash content, Briquette, Calorific value, Elemental
composition, Species, Volatile matter.", volume = "8", number = "7", pages = "531-7", }
