QUANTIFYING HEAT AND POWER GENERATION FROM PALM KERNEL SHELL AND PALM FRUIT FIBRE

Abstract

Considerable quantities of palm kernel shell (PKS) and palm fruit fibre (PFF) are produced as by-products of palm fruits processing. These by-products are long regarded as wastes. Indeed, there are wastes. Now, research has shown that they are not wastes as such but very important resources which are out of use.

The objective of this study is to quantify the heat and power generated from palm kernel shell (PKS) and palm fruit fibre (PFF). Samples of PKS and PFF (Dura and Pisifera varieties) at varying quantities were collected from a palm fruits processing mill and combusted inside the oven. The experiment was conducted in an oil mill located at Amaokwe Item in Abia state Nigeria. The mill has a capacity of processing 60 tons of palm fruits per day. Parameters measured directly are; current, induced voltage, pressure, time and the quantity of fuels burned. Parameters calculated are the electrical power, heat energy and ratio of PKS to PFF mixed. The current was measured using ammeter and the voltage was measured using a voltmeter. The pressure was measured using pressure gauge which was attached to the boiler. The initial and final temperatures were measured using a DT9205A thermocouple. Results show that at 50 bars, maximum current of 5.0A and voltage of 210V were recorded. The calculated electrical power of 1050W was obtained. The   ratio of PKS to PFF at these readings was 4:1 and the heat generated at these conditions was 110523.3kJ. The power generated can power 3 refrigerators of 100W capacity and 12 bulbs of 60W capacity each all at the same time.  It is concluded that palm kernel shell and palm fruits fibre are capable of replacing fossil fuel in palm fruit processing and electricity generation