A comparative analysis of heating values of saw dust, rice husk and coconut shell in the thermal generation of electricity in Hadema local government, Nigeria

Abstract

Biomass is the major energy source in Nigeria contributing about 78% of Nigeria primary energy supply. In this work a comparative analysis of the heating values of saw dust, rice husks, and coconut shell in the thermal generation of electricity was carried out. In the study different masses of biomass were used and the corresponding electromotive force in millivolts obtained. A graph of e.m.f was plotted against mass of each biomass and a gradient was obtained. Bar graphs were plotted representing the values of e.m.f and masses of the biomass. Also a bar graph comparing e.m.f of different masses of biomass was used. The research shows that Saw dust is having a gradient of O.O33Mv/g then followed by Coconut shell with gradient O,O3lMv/g and Rice husk with gradient O.O26mV/g. This shows that Saw dust is the one with the highest gradient. It is therefore, concluded that Saw dust is the most efficient of the three types of biomass in the thermal generation of electricity.