Harnessing the Thermal Potentials of Bitter Kola Tree Using Thermo- Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) Method

Abstract

This research focused on harnessing the thermal potentials of the bitter kola tree relying on the information determined by the Thermo-gravimetric Analyzer. Today the world is facing some critical problems such as: high fuel prices, climatic changes, and air pollution. Higher Heating Value (HHV) is one of the most important properties of fuels which explains the higher energy content and determines the efficient use of biomass and fossil fuels. This research work aimed to conduct thermo-gravimetric analysis on Bitter kola tree energy crop. The materials for the research was acquired from a nearby farmland and further dried under sunlight for a period of four weeks before being dried further in the oven at regulated constant temperature, it was pulverized and further analyzed to determine the moisture content, ash content, crude fat, crude protein and crude fibre. From the experimental results, it was revealed that the moisture content of bitter kola tree particles was very high (44.37) compared to mangrove (22.75). The volatile matter was very low (43.47) compared to mangrove (55.65). These facts are responsible for the low combustion characteristics of bitter kola tree. This project work will educates anyone who chooses to venture into biomass generation of energy with energy crops to know the exact crop sample with the highest heating value for increased coefficient of performance and efficiency of the steam or turbine engines to be used for generating electricity.