Development of local technology for a small-scale biochar production process from agricultural wastes
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Date
2010-12-01
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Scholarlink Research Institute
Abstract
A charcoal fired reactor for small-scale production of biochar was successfully designed, fabricated and tested. The method of biochar production offered by this equipment was evaluated by comparing its output with a single barrel method of production. The results obtained during the test indicated that the efficiency of the equipment based on its output per kg of Cocoa pod husk was 79.9%. It has the capacity to produce 18.3 kg of Biochar from Cocoa Husk per day using 1 bag of local Charcoal. Cocoa pod Husk can be effectively used as raw material for Biochar production. The Specific Heat Capacity of Cocoa pod Husk was obtained as 3.8 kJ/kg K using the Choi and Okos model. The equipment can be afforded by small scale farmers at production cost of -24, 600.00. This machine can be easily used and maintained without any formal training. The reactor is therefore appropriate for use by subsistent farmers, and households for producing biochar on a small scale.