A net energy analysis of fuels from biomass: the case of Nigeria

Nwachukwu, C. C.; Lewis, Chris

doi:10.1016/0144-4565(86)90099-5

Cited by 15 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 13 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…These results show that the production of ethanol from cassava feedstock in Nigeria by smallholder is energy efficient, because the NER is greater than 1 even without allocation of credits to the co-products, which include biogas, fertilizer, and animal feed. This value is close to the results obtained by Nwanchukwu and Lewis [14] on cassava ethanol production in Nigeria, which ranged from a NER of 1.1 -1.4 depending on the agronomic practices, with the ratio being lower under mechanized farming with the use of agro-chemicals than labour intensive farming without the use of agro-chemicals. Because the NER is close to 1.0, the results suggest that the small-scale bioethanol production from cassava feedstocks is marginally energy efficient.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 88%

Energy Analysis of Small-Scale Ethanol Production from Cassava: A Case Study of the Cassakero Project in Nigeria

Ohimain¹

2013

J. Technol. Innov. Renew. Energy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Federal Government of Nigeria recently announced the replacement of kerosene household cooking fuel with ethanol produced from cassava feedstock. The project was called "cassakero". The cassakero project aims to install 10,000 units of small-scale bio-ethanol refineries, operated by small-scale agro-processors across the country. The aim of this article is to present the results of an energy analysis of the ethanol cooking fuel produced from cassava feedstock by small-scale processors under Nigerian conditions Results show that for small-scale cassava ethanol production with the use of agrochemicals is: 11.61 MJ/l for total energy input, a Net Energy Ratio of 1.20, 2.29 MJ/l for Net Energy Gain, and 11.01 MJ/l for Net Renewable Energy Value. Without the use of agrochemicals ethanol production is 10.38 MJ/l for total energy input, a Net Energy Ratio of 1. 34, 3.52 MJ/l for Net Energy Gain, and 12.25 MJ/l for Net Renewable Energy Value. This is the first time that energy analysis has been carried out for small-scale cassava ethanol production under Nigerian conditions.

show abstract

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 88%

Energy Analysis of Small-Scale Ethanol Production from Cassava: A Case Study of the Cassakero Project in Nigeria

Ohimain¹

2013

J. Technol. Innov. Renew. Energy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The country has abundant biomass resources that certainly will be suitable for microgrid applications for remote communities, however, the government's effort to promote biomass utilization is currently limited to the transportation sector of the economy [59,[108][109][110][111][112]. The 2017 bio-ethanol policy gives rise to 10% ethanol in the country's petroleum mix [59].…”

Section: Biomassmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges of Microgrids in Remote Communities: A STEEP Model Application

2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:There is a growing interest in the application of microgrids around the world because of their potential for achieving a flexible, reliable, efficient and smart electrical grid system and supplying energy to off-grid communities, including their economic benefits. Several research studies have examined the application issues of microgrids. However, a lack of in-depth considerations for the enabling planning conditions has been identified as a major reason why microgrids fail in several off-grid communities. This development requires research efforts that consider better strategies and framework for sustainable microgrids in remote communities. This paper first presents a comprehensive review of microgrid technologies and their applications. It then proposes the STEEP model to examine critically the failure factors based on the social, technical, economic, environmental and policy (STEEP) perspectives. The model details the key dimensions and actions necessary for addressing the challenge of microgrid failure in remote communities. The study uses remote communities within Nigeria, West Africa, as case studies and demonstrates the need for the STEEP approach for better understanding of microgrid planning and development. Better insights into microgrid systems are expected to address the drawbacks and improve the situation that can lead to widespread and sustainable applications in off-grid communities around the world in the future. The paper introduces the sustainable planning framework (SPF) based on the STEEP model, which can form a general basis for planning microgrids in any remote location.

show abstract

“…Energy and labour related inputs are important issues in energy assessment and sustainability. Knowing that the gross energy content of most Nigerian hard wood is in the range of 18-22 MJ/kg [37,38], it therefore appears that the traditional distillation process is energy inefficient because the energy content of pure ethanol and low concentration ethanol (39-61.5%) are 21.2 MJ/L and 13.9 MJ/L respectively. Igbinadolor [13] describes the process of traditional production of ethanol to involve pooling palm saps into metal drums where they are thoroughly mixed, and allowed to ferment for 24 hours with occasional stirring.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Traditional Fermentation and Distillation of Raffia Palm Sap for the Production of Bioethanol in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Ohimain¹

2013

J. Technol. Innov. Renew. Energy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The production of alcoholic beverages from the sap of raffia palm, Raphia hookeri, has continued for decades in West Africa, but the detailed processes had never been documented before. The objective of this study is to document the traditional process of ethanol production, with the aim of scaling up the process for the production of fuel ethanol. Ten smallholder ethanol production facilities were randomly selected, and triplicate samples of the process intermediates were collected and analysed, including fermented palm sap, first and second distillate, first and second stillage. Results show that the percentage of ethanol was significantly different (P<0.05) among the different intermediates. The highest ethanol presence was recorded in the second distillate (39-61.5%), followed by the first distillate (18.83-39%), then the first stillage (5.80-10.20%), the palm sap (10.50-15.30%) and finally the second stillage (3.40-5.80%).Yeast population, pH, sugar, specific gravity and electrical conductivity differed significantly among the various sites and intermediates. Wood (105-155kg) was used as fuel to boil 280-480L of fermented palm sap producing 20L of 39-61.5% ethanol. The smallholder processors are however challenged by the poor distillation apparatus and the lack of ethanol dehydration facilities. The study concludes by recommending the modification of the Nigerian Biofuel Policy (2007) to allow the use of hydrous ethanol in automobiles and low concentration ethanol for household cooking.

show abstract

A net energy analysis of fuels from biomass: the case of Nigeria

Cited by 15 publications

References 13 publications

Energy Analysis of Small-Scale Ethanol Production from Cassava: A Case Study of the Cassakero Project in Nigeria

Energy Analysis of Small-Scale Ethanol Production from Cassava: A Case Study of the Cassakero Project in Nigeria

Challenges of Microgrids in Remote Communities: A STEEP Model Application

Traditional Fermentation and Distillation of Raffia Palm Sap for the Production of Bioethanol in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About