Production and evaluation of sugarcane leaf-based pellets | |
| Author | Manalundong, Abdulrahman Clavero |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.SE-23-04 |
| Subject(s) | Biomass energy Sugarcane--Biotechnology |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Sustainable Energy Transition |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Energy use accounts for a significant amount of annual GHG emissions. In 2016, the energy sector accounted for 73.2% of total emissions. This emission is related to the continued use of nonrenewable energy sources such as coal. In addition, burning agricultural residues, such as sugarcane leaves, contributes to GHG emissions. The combustion of these residues including sugarcane tops via open-field burning results in GHG emissions of 10,410 kgCO2/ha of land. Hence, renewable energy sources such as sugarcane leaves must be used to limit the emission of unwanted gases. This research aimed to determine the viability of generating sugarcane leaf-based pellets through a cold densification technique. The effects of process factors such as pelleting pressure, sawdust and peanut shells as binders, and die diameters on the physical and thermochemical properties of the pellets were investigated. In addition, the energy consumption related to the production of such pellets was investigated. Experiment and analysis results revealed that raising pelleting pressure improved pellet density, compaction ratio, impact resistance, and durability while decreasing volume expansion and elongation. Furthermore, the additives have improved the physical properties of the pellets as well as their thermochemical properties. In addition, increasing the die diameter as a variable parameter resulted in a reduction in the physical qualities of the pellets. The pellets generated at the highest pressure of 27.58 MPa, blending ratio of 60% sugarcane leaves, and 40% sawdust had the highest density of 1,150 kg/m3 . Moreover, the highest density indicated above was achieved at a die diameter of 15mm. On another note, the pellets' highest determined lower heating value was 16.42 MJ/kg at a blending ratio of 60% sugarcane leaves and 40% peanut shells. According to the energy consumption analysis, increasing the die diameter reduced the Net Energy Ratio (NER), whereas adding additives reduced the NER. |
| Year | 2023 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Sustainable Energy Transition (SE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Salam, P. Abdul |
| Examination Committee(s) | Singh, Jai Govind;Loc, Thai Nguyen |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | DOST-SEI Foreign Graduate Scholarship;Asian Institute of Technology Scholarships |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2023 |