Exploring the potential of coconut shell biomass for charcoal production

Coconut shells are produced in a vast amount around tropical countries that needs to be utilized properly. Thermochemical methods are the main route for converting biomass to charcoal. Percentage of some relative factors in the biomass such as low-density, low caloric value, high ash, SOX, NOX, mois...

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Main Authors: Kabir Ahmad, R., Anwar Sulaiman, S., Yusup, S., Sham Dol, S., Inayat, M., Aminu Umar, H.
Format: Article
Published: Ain Shams University 2022
Online Access:https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85107783095&doi=10.1016%2fj.asej.2021.05.013&partnerID=40&md5=13e8087c137176e74e980693daacfcff
http://eprints.utp.edu.my/28824/
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spelling my.utp.eprints.288242022-03-29T02:20:15Z Exploring the potential of coconut shell biomass for charcoal production Kabir Ahmad, R. Anwar Sulaiman, S. Yusup, S. Sham Dol, S. Inayat, M. Aminu Umar, H. Coconut shells are produced in a vast amount around tropical countries that needs to be utilized properly. Thermochemical methods are the main route for converting biomass to charcoal. Percentage of some relative factors in the biomass such as low-density, low caloric value, high ash, SOX, NOX, moisture content, microstructure, and complex elements are its major drawbacks. Nevertheless, no scientific studies were conducted on the carbonization of converting coconut shells to charcoal from local to global scales. Therefore, comprehensive and precise data on its production is limited. To overcome these problems; biomass materials need to be evaluated to assure the suitability of the biomass for the thermochemical process to curtail the yearning of energy demand. For the overall efficiency of the biomass conversion processes into the preference biomass-derived fuel, it is important to understand the physicochemical characteristics of the biomass. The paper aims at understanding the specialties of coconut shell biomass, which is directly used for thermochemical conversion mainly for charcoal production via; chemical structure, energy potential, and morphological analysis. The biomass exhibits a high: density of 412 kg/m3, a calorific value of 19.4 MJ/kg, fixed carbon of 21.8, a volatile matter of 70.8, carbon of 40.1, and low amount moisture of 5.6, and ash of 1.8. EDX and XRF analysis revealed a low amount of complex heavy metals, trace amounts of sulfur, and nitrogen, thus pre-treatment is not required before its utilization, ideal for thermochemical conversion. The coconut shell possesses amorphous and crystalline carbonaceous materials based on the XRD spectrum. The morphology on FESEM images and surface area analysis shows that the coconut shell contains heterogeneous shapes and scales of macro-pores with high surface area and porosity in nature. These essential qualities are suitable for charcoal production, activated carbon, insect repellent, filler, incense sticks, and other applications. Coconut shell possesses remarkable properties such as carbon-rich and environmentally friendly solid fuel to other biomass and coal materials; hence, it is possible to produce alternative energy from coconut shell biomass due to its several characteristics. © 2021 THE AUTHORS Ain Shams University 2022 Article NonPeerReviewed https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85107783095&doi=10.1016%2fj.asej.2021.05.013&partnerID=40&md5=13e8087c137176e74e980693daacfcff Kabir Ahmad, R. and Anwar Sulaiman, S. and Yusup, S. and Sham Dol, S. and Inayat, M. and Aminu Umar, H. (2022) Exploring the potential of coconut shell biomass for charcoal production. Ain Shams Engineering Journal, 13 (1). http://eprints.utp.edu.my/28824/
institution Universiti Teknologi Petronas
building UTP Resource Centre
collection Institutional Repository
continent Asia
country Malaysia
content_provider Universiti Teknologi Petronas
content_source UTP Institutional Repository
url_provider http://eprints.utp.edu.my/
description Coconut shells are produced in a vast amount around tropical countries that needs to be utilized properly. Thermochemical methods are the main route for converting biomass to charcoal. Percentage of some relative factors in the biomass such as low-density, low caloric value, high ash, SOX, NOX, moisture content, microstructure, and complex elements are its major drawbacks. Nevertheless, no scientific studies were conducted on the carbonization of converting coconut shells to charcoal from local to global scales. Therefore, comprehensive and precise data on its production is limited. To overcome these problems; biomass materials need to be evaluated to assure the suitability of the biomass for the thermochemical process to curtail the yearning of energy demand. For the overall efficiency of the biomass conversion processes into the preference biomass-derived fuel, it is important to understand the physicochemical characteristics of the biomass. The paper aims at understanding the specialties of coconut shell biomass, which is directly used for thermochemical conversion mainly for charcoal production via; chemical structure, energy potential, and morphological analysis. The biomass exhibits a high: density of 412 kg/m3, a calorific value of 19.4 MJ/kg, fixed carbon of 21.8, a volatile matter of 70.8, carbon of 40.1, and low amount moisture of 5.6, and ash of 1.8. EDX and XRF analysis revealed a low amount of complex heavy metals, trace amounts of sulfur, and nitrogen, thus pre-treatment is not required before its utilization, ideal for thermochemical conversion. The coconut shell possesses amorphous and crystalline carbonaceous materials based on the XRD spectrum. The morphology on FESEM images and surface area analysis shows that the coconut shell contains heterogeneous shapes and scales of macro-pores with high surface area and porosity in nature. These essential qualities are suitable for charcoal production, activated carbon, insect repellent, filler, incense sticks, and other applications. Coconut shell possesses remarkable properties such as carbon-rich and environmentally friendly solid fuel to other biomass and coal materials; hence, it is possible to produce alternative energy from coconut shell biomass due to its several characteristics. © 2021 THE AUTHORS
format Article
author Kabir Ahmad, R.
Anwar Sulaiman, S.
Yusup, S.
Sham Dol, S.
Inayat, M.
Aminu Umar, H.
spellingShingle Kabir Ahmad, R.
Anwar Sulaiman, S.
Yusup, S.
Sham Dol, S.
Inayat, M.
Aminu Umar, H.
Exploring the potential of coconut shell biomass for charcoal production
author_facet Kabir Ahmad, R.
Anwar Sulaiman, S.
Yusup, S.
Sham Dol, S.
Inayat, M.
Aminu Umar, H.
author_sort Kabir Ahmad, R.
title Exploring the potential of coconut shell biomass for charcoal production
title_short Exploring the potential of coconut shell biomass for charcoal production
title_full Exploring the potential of coconut shell biomass for charcoal production
title_fullStr Exploring the potential of coconut shell biomass for charcoal production
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the potential of coconut shell biomass for charcoal production
title_sort exploring the potential of coconut shell biomass for charcoal production
publisher Ain Shams University
publishDate 2022
url https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85107783095&doi=10.1016%2fj.asej.2021.05.013&partnerID=40&md5=13e8087c137176e74e980693daacfcff
http://eprints.utp.edu.my/28824/
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score 13.211869