Mini-grid electricity service based on local agricultural residues: Feasibility study in rural Ghana

Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Assessment of diesel fuel quality

Diesel is an essential energy source in the transportation and industrial sectors worldwide; hence, the quality of this commodity is crucial. This study compares various fuel samples to understand the quality of the fuels in terms of sulphur content, density, surface tension, viscosity, and calorific value. The properties of diesel fuel samples from eight (8) Filling Stations (Marketing Companies (MC)) were examined and compared with GSA 141:2022 and ISO 8217:2017 standards. Fuel from two companies, MC-A and MC-G had slightly lower densities than the standard, indicative of a possible contamination with lower-density fuels such as kerosene. The surface tension of all samples, except one was within the standard range. The only sample with the lower than the standard value also displayed high sulphur content. Although all the fuel samples met the minimum requirement for calorific value, the viscosities of the fuels from three companies were slightly higher than the specified standard value which can potentially result in higher emissions. In the case of sulphur content, fuel samples from only three companies were in compliance with the maximum 50 ppm standard. This means 62.5 % of the diesel fuel within the study area at the time contained more than the acceptable amount of sulphur. The findings in this research highlight the need to re-examine the quality of fuels along the distribution chain

The physical properties of magnetic inks

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:D86634 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Mini-grid electricity service based on local agricultural residues: Feasibility study in rural Ghana

Peer Reviewe

Feasibility study of biomass hybrid micro-plants for mini-grid based electricity services in rural communities in Ghana

Electricity access is key in driving socio economic development. Since Ghana initiated its National Electrification Scheme (NES) 20 years ago, access has risen to 72%, with over 88,000 communities yet to be electrified. From 2006 to 2008, the Multifunctional Platform (MFP) programme provided mechanical energy services based on diesel engines in 38 off-grid communities; yet these communities are rich in agricultural residues. International experience has shown that decentralised power generation by biomass gasification systems is cost competitive for remote villages with low load demand, and has the lowest environmental impact as compared to other conversion technologies. Additionally, the Ghanaian Renewable Energy Law sets forth the possibility for distribution utilities to benefit from renewable energy obligations in investments conducted in rural areas. This study was commissioned to investigate the prospects of electricity service provision based on biomass gasification technology. To this end, the feasibility of using agricultural residues to run a 24 hour mini-grid electricity service has been characterised in five MFP communities in Ghana (Brong Ahafo and Northern regions). The institutions involved in this study, TEC-KNUST, KITE and IS.UPC are partners in the diffusion of sustainable energy solutions, as a key action to eradicate energy poverty in the region.Peer Reviewe

Conventional and Unconventional Transformation of Cocoa Pod Husks into Value-Added Products

The drive for a sustainable society and a circular economy has motivated researchers around the globe to turn to the transformation of renewable raw materials like biomass into value-added products that are akin or superior to their fossil counterparts. Among these biomass raw materials, cocoa pod husks (CPH) which is the non-edible portion of cocoa (ca. 70–75% weight of the while cocoa fruit) remains a promising bio-resource raw material for the production high-value added chemicals but yet largely underexploited. Currently, the most popular applications of CPH involves its use as low-value application products such as animal feed, raw material for soap making, and activated carbon. However, the rich source of lignocellulosic content, pectin, and phenolic compounds of CPH means it could be used as raw materials for the production industrially relevant platform chemicals with high potential in the agrochemicals, pharmaceutical, and food industries, if efficient transformations routes are developed by scientists. In this chapter, we will shed light on some of the works related to the transformation of CPH into various value-added products. An economic evaluation of the transformation of cocoa pod husk into relevant chemicals and products is also discussed

Pyrolysis of municipal food waste: A sustainable potential approach for solid food waste management and organic crop fertilizer production

ABSTRACTFood waste can be converted to a useful product such as biochar as a way of recycling waste to retain nutrients in the soil, which in turn contributes to carbon sequestration and offset some greenhouse gas emissions in the struggle to achieve carbon neutrality. Mixed food waste-derived biochars (FWB1–300°C, FWB2–450°C and FWB3–600°C) were pyrolysed at 300°C, 450°C and 600°C, respectively, using an electric kiln. Tests for physiochemical parameters and germination tests were performed. It was realized that at 300°C biochars produced had high nitrogen, organic matter, bulk density, biochar yield, and longer root lengths. The results indicate that municipal food waste biochars produced at three temperatures were suitable for use as fertilizer. However, biochar produced at a moderately lower temperature is favourable for agriculture purposes, FWB1–300°C and FWB2–450°C obtained moderate pH and ash levels and so are less toxic to the growth of plants