Evaluation of Nigerian Oil Palm Frond Biomass Potential as a Feedstock for Bioenergy Generation

Abstract

Global energy consumption is rising quickly, the world must turn to renewable energy sources. One such renewable energy source that has attracted a lot of interest recently is bioenergy. A key agricultural crop in Nigeria, oil palm. However, the majority of the biomass produced by the oil palm is wasted or underutilised, which has negative environmental effects. This untapped resource could be a great source of fuel for the creation of bioenergy. The purpose of this research is to assess the potential of Nigerian oil palm fronds as a feedstock for the creation of bioenergy. This study used thermogravimetric analysis to reveal the physicochemical properties of the frond sample. According to the results of the proximate analysis, the amounts of volatile matter, fixed carbon, ash content, and higher heating value were 78.78wt per cent, 15.01wt per cent, 6.21wt per cent, and 17.63MJ/kg, respectively. Aluminium, potassium, silicon, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and chlorine were the main inorganic mineral elements found in the biomass ash, whereas phosphorus, sulphur, and iron were found in trace amounts. The feedstock is a potential material for thermochemical conversion to produce bioenergy, according to the results of the thermogravimetric and FTIR analyses, which identified characteristics indicative of energy feedstock biomass sample. This study will contribute to the existing knowledge and research on bioenergy production for sustainable and effective biorefineries that would produce different bioenergy products from Nigeria's palm oil resources.