The Energy Potentials of Some Agricultural Wastes as Local Fuel Materials in Nigeria

Ten agricultural wastes in Nigeria were subjected to ultimate and proximate analyses to determine their energy content using the method of Association of Official Analytical Chemists. The samples are: groundnut shell, yam peels, coconut shell, mango peels, palm oil mill effluents, corn cob, cherry, orange peels, melon shell, and black walnut hull. Results of analysis show that the mean higher heating values of the waste samples are 16505kJ/kg, 19597kJ/kg, 20647kJ/kg, 15891kJ/kg, 17303kJ/kg, 19458kJ/kg, 28203kJ/kg, 19299kJ/kg, 21392kJ/kg and 21143kJ/kg for groundnut shell, yam peels, coconut shell, mango peels, palm oil mill effluent, corn cob, cherry, orange peels, melon shell and black walnut hull respectively. All the waste samples considered have heat values greater than some wellknown biomass-fuels and fall within the limit for the production of steam in electricity generation. As a result of this, it is envisaged that industries that use their waste biomass for energy would simultaneously solve a waste disposal problem and save money on their energy needs.