Wood fuel analysis of some selected wood species within Ibadan

Abstract

Wood waste (saw dust) from sawmills if well harnessed is a potential alternative source of energy for electricity production. This is due to its prospects in the production of fuel such as biogas (methane, carbon dioxide and other trace gases) having high calorific value that can be used to drive a gas turbine in the production of electricity. However, since the electrical energy generated mainly through the hydro power generating stations along with the other power plants including the conventional coal and gas currently in existence in the country is not meeting the energy demand of Nigerians, it is therefore necessary to introduce additional sources of alternative energy in order to be able to augment these existing energy sources, and wood waste is the proposed alternative source of fuel energy used in this study. The fuel properties and characterization of six different wood waste samples (Iroko (Milicia excelsa), Masonia (Masonia altissima), Afara (Terminalia superba), Arere (Annona senegalensis), Ayin (Anogeissus leiocarpus) and Obeche (Triplochiton scleroxylon)) obtained from sawmills located within Bodija, Sango and Idi Ayunre areas of Ibadan were determined by following the procedure of the American Society Standard Test Method (ASTM E870-82(2013)) for the analysis of wood fuels. The result of characterization of the wood samples showed a range of values for the gross calorific values (20.14MJ/Kg to 22.30MJ/Kg), volatile matter (74.22% to 82.62%) and ash content (0.605% to 5.03%). The overall ratings of the fuel properties of the six wood samples in terms of their average ranking were obtained as 3.25 (Iroko), 3.13 (Masonia), 3.25 (Afara), 2.0 (Arere), 2.6 (Ayin) and 1.75 (Obeche) which suggests that wood waste from Obeche has the best fuel property because of its least rating while that of Afara and Iroko were the worst.