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Charcoal Yield and Fixed Carbone Content of Jatropha Seed Cake Pyrolysis: Effect of Preheating Temperature, Extraction Pressure and Seed Form
Nsah-ko Tchoumboué,
Lontsi Meli Raoul Gilles,
Tangka Julius Kewir
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, June 2020
Pages:
23-28
Received:
7 March 2020
Accepted:
27 March 2020
Published:
23 April 2020
Abstract: The pyrolysis characteristics of cake from whole, kernels and crushed jatropha seed (Charcoal yield, fixed Carbone content, mineral matter) were assessed. The pyrolysis process consisted in introducing into an oven, at 300°C for 15 minutes, a 25 ml ceramic crucible containing 5 g of cake (2% water content) coated in pre-weighed aluminum foil. The main results were as follow. The highest charcoal yield (75,76±1,53%) was obtained with cake from crushed seeds preheated at 100°C associated to the extraction pressure of 15000 pounds. The highest fixed Carbone (18,64%) was registered with biochar from kernels cake obtained at the preheating temperature/extraction pressure couple of 25°C-15000 Pounds. The highest mineral matter content (Mg, Ca, P and K) are recorded in charcoal from the kernel cake pyrolysis. Seed form significantly affected the cake yield and biochar yield. The pH of jatropha biochar (7,5-10) are alkaline which can be useful for acid soil fertilization in Cameroon.
Abstract: The pyrolysis characteristics of cake from whole, kernels and crushed jatropha seed (Charcoal yield, fixed Carbone content, mineral matter) were assessed. The pyrolysis process consisted in introducing into an oven, at 300°C for 15 minutes, a 25 ml ceramic crucible containing 5 g of cake (2% water content) coated in pre-weighed aluminum foil. The m...
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Thermal Insulation Panel Based on Vegetable Typha Domingensis and Starch: Formulation and Physico-chemical Characterization
Henri Wilfried Hounkpatin,
Victorin Kouamy Chégnimonhan,
Elisabeth Allognon-Houessou,
Basile Bruno Kounouhewa
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, June 2020
Pages:
29-37
Received:
22 April 2020
Accepted:
14 May 2020
Published:
27 May 2020
Abstract: The chemical characteristics of the typha-starch composite have been investigated in this study to optimize the component of the habitat insulation panel obtained from the two bio sourced materials. Four mixtures have been formulated and tested (starch 0g + typha 620 g; starch 62g + typha 558 g; starch 93g + typha 527 g; starch 124g + typha 496 g). The panels were made up of six different granulometries (0.125 mm; 0.250 mm; 0.425 mm; 1.25 mm 1.70 mm; 3.15 mm). A total of 72 panels were made and tested. The density of the panels varies from 515.6 kg.m-3 to 809.74 kg.m-3. Chemical characterisation reveals that typha particles contain a high content of organic matter and dry matter, as well as a significant proportion of water and volatile components. The typha which contains very little protein, little minerals and lipids, could contribute to the thermosetting during the manufacturing process of insulating panels. Formulations with low mass density such as L91 (1.70 mm + 124 g starch) and G62 (1.25 mm + 0 g starch) show good thermal properties according to literature.
Abstract: The chemical characteristics of the typha-starch composite have been investigated in this study to optimize the component of the habitat insulation panel obtained from the two bio sourced materials. Four mixtures have been formulated and tested (starch 0g + typha 620 g; starch 62g + typha 558 g; starch 93g + typha 527 g; starch 124g + typha 496 g)....
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Assessment of Improved Cookstoves and Its Implication on Energy Saving and Environmental Protection in Kisumu County, Kenya
Benard Oula Muok,
Calleb Ochia Olweny
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, June 2020
Pages:
38-44
Received:
7 May 2020
Accepted:
25 May 2020
Published:
3 June 2020
Abstract: In this paper, we examine the efficiency of different improved cookstoves (ICS) in the Kenya market to understand their impact on household energy saving and deforestation. Similar to many other countries in the global south, especially in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA), in Kenya traditional cooking methods such as the three stone cookstove (TSC) are still dominant, especially in the rural households. These types of stoves have very low efficiency levels, and therefore require large amounts of fuelwood with substantial negative impact on the environment and human health. Despite the three decades of improved cookstove development and promotion in Kenya, the penetration remains low especially in the rural areas where it is estimated that over 90% are still relying on the traditional TSC for cooking. Lack of data on stoves testing has been proposed as one of the critical bottlenecks to adoption of improved cookstove. The study aims to address this gap by providing stove-testing data on some of the stoves currently in the market. The study was conducted in all the 7 sub-counties of Kisumu County. It adopted a mixed method approach, which included quantitative and qualitative methods. Qualitative studies included literature review, key informant interviews (KIIs) and focused group discussion while quantitative studies included household interviews and stove performance. A total of 400 households were interviewed. The data obtained shows that firewood and charcoal are the most dominant fuel used for cooking as recorded in 74% and 67% of the interviewed households, respectively. Further, majority of the respondents believed that the tree cover in their areas is diminishing mainly due to the destruction of woodland for fuelwood. Three stoves were used for this study, which included the traditional three stone cookstove (TSC), Integrated Domestic Energy Unit (IDEU micro-gasifier stove) and Kuni mbili stove. Both IDEU and Kuni mbili performed better than the traditional three stone cookstove sin all the parameters such Kitchen test and controlled cooking test as well as emission reduction. IDEU was superior to all the stoves tested. The study has provided valuable data on kitchen performance which will provide useful insight on potential energy saving and forest. Besides, the study also pointed out at the weaknesses of some of the improved stoves in the market and need for further design adjustment to improve efficiency.
Abstract: In this paper, we examine the efficiency of different improved cookstoves (ICS) in the Kenya market to understand their impact on household energy saving and deforestation. Similar to many other countries in the global south, especially in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA), in Kenya traditional cooking methods such as the three stone cookstove (TSC) are stil...
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Profitability Analysis of Family-size Biogas Plant Installation in West Hararghe Zone, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia
Tale Gedefa,
Emebet Abera
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, June 2020
Pages:
45-52
Received:
8 May 2020
Accepted:
25 May 2020
Published:
3 June 2020
Abstract: Biogas technology, which converts biological waste into energy, is considered as an excellent tool to improve the lives, livelihoods, health, ecosystem and economy. In Ethiopia, biogas technology has been domesticated to improve the rural energy security and household’s income by reducing their dependence on traditional biomass energy and chemical fertilizers. The profitability of biogas installation is rendered doubtful despite its numerous benefits and domestication efforts. Hence, this study aimed at evaluating the cost-benefit analysis and Profitability of biogas technology at household level in West Hararghe zone, Eastern Ethiopia. By using multistage sampling technique, cross-sectional data were collected from 105 systematically selected adopter households. The costs incurred and the benefits gained were analyzed using paired t-test. Payback Period (PBP), benefit cost ratio (BCR) and Net Present Value (NPV) were analyzed using different economic formula. The results indicated the most commonly domesticated plant is fixed dome biogas with volumes of 6 m3 and 8 m3. Investing 6 m3 biogas plant with subsidy (0.73 year) had short PBP than the 8 m3 plant (0.97 year). This implies, subsidy has been attracting households into biogas adoption. The BCR under assumption with subsidy was found to be 1.34 and 1.10 at 10% discount rate for 6 m3 and 8 m3 plants, respectively. Under both assumptions with and without subsidy, the NPV results for 6 m3 and 8 m3 biogas plant sizes turn out positive. In general, the results of PBP, BCR and NPV shown that the biogas investment is preferable and profitable for continuing the investment for the future.
Abstract: Biogas technology, which converts biological waste into energy, is considered as an excellent tool to improve the lives, livelihoods, health, ecosystem and economy. In Ethiopia, biogas technology has been domesticated to improve the rural energy security and household’s income by reducing their dependence on traditional biomass energy and chemical ...
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Analysis on the Characteristics and Driving Factors of College Students' Waste Classification Behaviors
Yifu Yuan,
An Mao,
Yujie Luo
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, June 2020
Pages:
53-58
Received:
4 June 2020
Accepted:
15 June 2020
Published:
20 June 2020
Abstract: With the development of economy and society, the consumption and demand of human resources are increasing rapidly. However, due to the unreasonable use of resources, serious environmental problems and resource wastes are caused. In people's daily lives, the amount of domestic waste is increasing gradually. How to recycle and utilize the domestic wastes reasonably has become the key means to solve the environmental problems and relieve the problem of resources shortage. Waste classification is a means of classifying and treating wastes according to their nature and potential values. In recent years, China is gradually promoting the classification of domestic wastes in cities, and has achieved preliminary results. The recognition and awareness of residents on waste classification, as well as the behavior of waste classification in daily lives could affect the waste classification. In this study, the students in Tai'an universities were taken as the research objects, and the understanding of environmental problems, waste classification awareness, and daily waste classification behaviors of college students were taken as the research contents. Through the questionnaire, the awareness and behaviors of waste classification of college students were investigated. The results showed that college students in Tai'an have a high recognition of waste classification, a good grasp of the basic knowledge of waste classification, and a good practice of waste classification in daily lives. In the process of promoting waste classification, in addition to increasing the popularization of waste classification knowledge and awareness, colleges and universities should also pay attention to the establishment and improvement of waste classification infrastructure, and develop a variety of incentive means to improve the awareness and behaviors of college students who are participating in waste classification.
Abstract: With the development of economy and society, the consumption and demand of human resources are increasing rapidly. However, due to the unreasonable use of resources, serious environmental problems and resource wastes are caused. In people's daily lives, the amount of domestic waste is increasing gradually. How to recycle and utilize the domestic wa...
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