Energy potential of yam and plantain peels

Abstract

  

 Peels are the wastes produced when yam and plantain are processed for human consumption.  This study evaluated the potential use of these wastes as energy feedstocks by conducting thermal decomposition studies in a thermogravimetric analyzer coupled to a Fourier Transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and in a differential scanning calorimeter.  The peels have ash contents of about 8%-9% hence a slightly lower energy contents in comparison to other biomass feedstocks.  The pyrolysis process for both yam and plantain peels was found to consist of two main stages - moisture loss at temperatures less than 150^oC, and decomposition of the dry matter component that peaked at temperature of 300^oC.  Both samples reached exothermic reactions that also peaked at 300^oC.  Based on FTIR analysis, the major gases that evolved during pyrolysis were carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, acetic acid, methane, methyl isocyanate and ethanol.

Keywords: thermal decomposition, syngas, waste, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analyzer