An Investigation into the Possibility of Producing Fuel Ethanol from Forest Anchomanes (Anchomanes Difformis (Bl.) ENGL.)

Oyelayo Ajamu Oyedele ,Olusegun Adeoti ,Opeyemi Oluremi Adeyanju

doi:10.7176/jetp/10-1-03

Abstract

One of the factors responsible for the slow growth of the Nigerian Biofuel Programme is the concern trailing the use of cassava, a crop that has food, feed and industrial value in Nigeria, for fuel production. As an alternative feedstock, this study investigates the possibility of producing fuel ethanol from forest anchomanes (FA), Anchomanes difformis (Bl.) Engl., a plant that has no food and feed value in Nigeria. Results showed that FA tubers were rich in carbohydrate, between 70 and Sarkar, 2011 %. The stoichiometric ethanol content of FA varied from 0.032 to 0.054 kg kg -1 of fresh tubers, while the crude FA ethanol had a mean density of Nwachukwu and Simonyan, 2015 1.2 kg/m 3 at 20 °C. This suggests that FA has some potential for fuel ethanol production. This finding is useful to countries in the West African sub-region where FA is found. Keywords : Forest anchomanes tuber; Forest anchomanes starch; Ethanol content; Ethanol density; Nigeria biofuel programme DOI : 10.7176/JETP/10-1-03 Publication date: January 31 st 2020

Highlights

Multiple factors explain why biofuel production is gaining global attention
3.1 pH, moisture content, and density of fresh forest anchomanes (FA) tubers The pH values of fresh FA tubers were within the range of 6 and 6.5 (Table 5), which are comparable with most starches used in ethanol production
The paper has shown that FA could be a useful source of starch for fuel ethanol production, capable of replacing cassava mentioned in the 2007 Nigerian Biofuel Policy and Incentives (NBPI) which has food, feed and industrial value in Nigeria

Summary

Introduction

To ensure that Nigeria becomes a biofuel producer and user, the Nigerian Biofuel Policy and Incentives (NBPI) was released in 2007 following a Biofuel Programme that started in 2004 It was not until 2008 that the country joined the league of biofuel users through e-blend fuel import when the Federal Government agreed to start with 5 % ethanol addition (E5) to Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) for automotive use (Adeoti, 2010). At 10 % blend ratio, the NBPI estimated that the Nigerian market requires 1.3 x 106 m3 of fuel ethanol annually, projected to increase to 2.0 x 106 m3 per year by 2020 While both E5 and E10 PMS are suitable for use without any engine modifications (İçöz et al, 2008), the concern in Nigeria is that higher levels could harm existing or conventional automobile engines. Consistent with the NBPI and for clarity purposes, fuel ethanol is defined as hydrous or anhydrous bioethanol denatured for use as a motor fuel, and biofuels as fuels obtained from biomaterials

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Conclusion