Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

A STUDY ON PREPARATION AND HEATING VALUE OF BIO-COAL FROM GREEN COCONUT SHELL FOR DOMESTIC COOKING FUEL

M.K. Ghosal, N. Mahapatra, N. Sahoo3 and P.K. Rout

Abstract

In the present situation when the prices of commercial fuels are showing a steep increase, the production of charcoal from locally available waste biomass is one of the most feasible alternative fuels. It also offers promising scope as an income-generating activity in the rural sector. Green coconut shells are one such abundantly available agro-residue in coastal regions of the state of Odisha. After consumption of water, the shells are simply dumped here and there, for which their efficient utilization is crucial for providing bioenergy, releasing risk of environmental pollution, and enhancing rural incomes. Carbonization and then densification may be one of the important utilization routes for them. The objective of this paper is therefore to explore the feasibility of preparing bio-coal (briquetted charcoal) from green coconut shells as a substitute for cooking fuel. In this investigation, green coconut shells were first charred in a charring drum and the char was used to prepare briquettes with and without binding material both by hand and a motorized extrusion machine. The char was studied for its heating value. The average heating value of the briquettes was determined by using them in a local chullah for heating water in a steel container. It was found that the average heating value of machine made briquettes was almost double than that of raw green coconut shell. Similarly, the test data revealed that the average heating value of machine made briquettes was about 13 per cent higher than the handmade briquettes. The research findings from the present study provide useful information on feasibility of green coconut shell to be used as a suitable raw material for briquetting after carbonization and can be used as a good cooking fuel.