Biomass energy potential of coconut varieties in Guyana

Abstract

Guyana�??s growing coconut industry has great potential for the generation of renewable energy using its waste materials currently discarded unsustainably. This study sought to investigate the energy potential of husks and shells of three common coconut varieties grown in Guyana. In this experiment, samples of coconut husks and shells were subjected to proximate, ultimate and calorific analyses. These analyses indicated that the energy value of the husks and shells of tall and dwarf coconuts were high, confirming the findings presented in previous studies. It was found that coconut shells have a higher energy content as opposed to the husk, mainly due to the presence of lignin and cellulose and a lower moisture content. The shell of one of the dwarf varieties (firmer and thinner) produced the greatest energy output. The coconut husks, however, followed closely where the tall variety reported the greatest energy value. Based on the energy output of the waste materials, possible energy, power, carbon, diesel and price savings were determined, if energy conversion is to be implemented. The analyses show substantial benefits for the country with respect to waste management, carbon emissions and costs, indicating the need for energy generation from coconut waste. A proposed gasification-pyrolysis system was developed and provided a baseline for the use of coconut biomass for energy generation in Guyana.