Production and Characterisation of Briquettes from Carbonised Cocoa Pod Husk and Sawdust

Abstract

The demand for wood fuels in rural and some urban areas of Ghana keeps on increasing which could lead to forest degradation. The present study sought to produce and characterise briquette made from cocoa pod husk and a mixed sample which comprised of a mixture of cocoa pod husk and sawdust as an alternative source of fuel to reduce the pressure on wood fuels. Simple methods were used to produce the briquette for the study. The physico-chemical properties of the briquettes were conducted at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) where the proximate analysis, ultimate analysis and calorific value of the briquettes were analysed and compared to the controlled sample charcoal produced from "Amire" species (Terminalia ivorensis) using a completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 replications. A survey was also conducted to determine the usability of the briquettes using purposive sampling technique where sixty (60) respondents were given samples of the two different kinds of briquettes produced to use. Results obtained from the ultimate and proximate analysis showed that there were significant differences among the treatments (P < 0.05). Results obtained from the calorific value showed that the mixed briquette (23.6 MJ/Kg) produced significantly (P < 0.05) the highest amount of heat followed by the controlled charcoal (18.5 MJ/Kg) and carbonised cocoa pod husk briquette (16.7 MJ/Kg). Outcomes from the survey showed that (97%) of the respondent used wood fuels for their heating and cooking activities; (98%) of the respondents were ready to use the new briquettes produced if it is made available. From the results obtained, it could be concluded that the briquettes produced from cocoa pod husk and sawdust could help reduce the pressure on wood fuels, reduce deforestation and also provide cleaner fuel for cooking.

Cacao genotypes cultivated in agroforestry systems in Bahia have wide genetic variability in morpho-agronomic characters

“…The cocoa pod shell has nutrients such as potassium to be recycled and used in cacao culture (Indiarto, 2021). They can also be transformed into fuel briquettes, adding value to the product and simultaneously solving the waste disposal problem (Ofori;Akoto, 2020). The shell thickness plays an important role in resistance to Phytophthora palmivora; susceptible cacao fruits have a thinner shell and higher moisture percentage (Reges et al, 2021).…”

Bio-Based Value Chains Potential in the Management of Cacao Pod Waste in Colombia, a Case Study

“…Studies carried out in Africa report the use of CPH as a base catalyst for the transesterification of Hevea brasiliensis oil (HBO) to the methyl ester of Hevea brasiliensis (HBME) in Nigeria [58]. Other authors in Ghana report the production and characterization of CPH as briquettes and sawdust for bioenergy [59].…”

Economic Viability Investigation of Mixed-Biomass Briquettes Made from Agricultural Residues for Household Cooking Use

“…The results of these investigations have led to the common conclusion that mixed briquettes should be produced in order to improve energy characteristics and, above all, at affordable prices. In the literature, studies have been carried out on mixed briquettes, for instance, rice straw and rice bran mixtures [23], corncob and rice husk [24], rice husk and coal [25], sawdust and palm kernel shell [26], sawdust and palm kernel shell [27], rice husk and palm oil mill sludge [28], rice husk and coconut shell [29], rice straw and sawdust [30], groundnut shells and bagasse [31], rice and coffee husks [32], cocoa pod husk and sawdust [33], sugarcane bagasse and rice bran [34], sugarcane bagasse, corncob, and rice husk [35], rice straw and banana peels [36], and coffee husk and corncob [37]. The limitations of these previous studies are that the selection of residues is not systematically justified and the mixtures are not carried out according to a clearly established relationship.…”