Sustainability of Alternative Energy Sources: Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis of Energy Crops in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

Ekiti State is a farming region with the ability to produce biomass reserves, which include yet refined crop cultivation product leftovers like sugar cane, corn cobs, palm husk shells, and okanagan wood, for use as fuel. The vast energy-generating potential of crops for use in industry and household applications is examined in this article. Biomass crops were subjected to a thermogravimetric examination to determine their unique thermal activity in an airtight and benign atmosphere with a temperature increase of 10°C per minute up to 800°C. The decrease in weight pattern was shown to be similar across all four waste specimens. Three reactive regions were identified during the nitrogen-rich environment assessment, which correlate to water loss, flammable generation, and char breakdown. Three response domains in an air system corresponded to the degradation, burning, and drying of char. The proximate and ultimate evaluation outcomes demonstrated that each of the bioenergy crop leftovers under investigation is fit for gas extraction and fuel combustion to meet power and thermal needs. The computational and experimental analysis revealed that Okanagan wood has the highest calorific value which indicates the highest heat values and considered the best for biomass energy production in Ekiti State for entrepreneurial venture.