Characterization Of Agro-Waste As An Alternative Fuel Source

Scientific community is struggling to develop new processes for bio-fuels from last two decades. The present work is an attempt to utilize the agro-waste and to develop the regional energy resource in Pakistan. This work also presents an analysis of various agricultural wastes to determine the green energy potential in Pakistan.

Agro-waste like corn cob, wheat straw, rice husk, saw dust, cotton stalk, corn leave and bagass are selected for characterization. Investigation was conducted for measuring the calorific values of different agro-wastes with Bomb Calorimeter (Leco AC-500) and compared with empirically calculated values. Experimental calorific values were in good agreement with empirically calculated values.

Corn cob and saw dust shows higher calorific values than cotton stalks and corn leaves. Rice husks have least calorific value while bagasse and wheat straw have medium calorific values. Analysis (ultimate and proximate) of different wastes was also conducted to measure the constituents. Ultimate analysis shows that carbon contents were in the range of 39-47 per cent by weight, Hydrogen in the range of 4-6 per cent, Nitrogen in the range 0.3-0.95per cent, Sulphur 0.055-0.25 and Oxygen 38-48 per cent. Proximate analysis determined the moisture contents in the range of 7-12 per cent, Volatile matter 53-80 per cent, ash contents 2-15 per cent.