Co-Gasification of Sugarcane Bagasse and Coal: A Study on Thermal Characteristics and Efficiency

• Benjamin T. ABUR

  Department of Mechanical/Production Engineering, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria

  Author

• Abubakar A. WARA

  National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), Abuja, Nigeria

  Author

• David ISAH

  Grand Cereals Limited, Subsidiary of UACN PLC, Bukuru, Jos, Nigeria

  Author

• Mary D. IGBUR

  Technical and Vocational Skills Training development (TVSTD), Industrial Training Fund Headquarters, Jos, Nigeria

  Author

• Catherine N. KWAGHMANDE

  Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

  Author

Biomass fuels offers sustainable alternative to traditional energy sources, mitigating pollution and landfill disposal challenges. This work aim at identifying an optimal blend for enhancing gasification efficiency, operational stability and reduced emissions. Ultimate analysis was adopted for elemental composition determination, proximate analysis for physical and chemical properties while the energy content was determined through calorimetry and thermal degradation behavior using the thermo-gravimetric analysis. Elemental analysis of coal, sugar cane bagasse and their blends revealed principal chemical constituents of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, with coal demonstrating higher carbon content. Nitrogen composition is negligible for pure and blended samples. Results indicate that coal provide more energy than bagasse owing to its lower ash content and higher carbon concentration. Conversely, calorific value of blends increased with proportion of bagasse, likely due to its high reactivity, which catalyzes coal combustion. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) displays maximum de-volatilization at 900°C, with rapid weight loss between 300-550 °C for all blends. Derivative (DTG) profiles of blends exhibit two peaks: first peak at 320-350°C, with second peak at 400-800°C representing sub-bituminous coal de-volatilization. This study concludes that blending 10% coal with 90% sugarcane bagasse optimize calorific values, thermal stability, efficiency and minimizes environmental pollution. 

• FJET_12_25_18

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