Browsing by Author "Ademidun A. Adesibikan"

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    A comprehensive review on the similarity and disparity of torrefied biomass and coal properties
    (Elsevier, 2024-05-09) Adekunle Akanni Adeleke; Peter Pelumi Ikubanni; Stephen S. Emmanuel; Moses O. Fajobi; Praise Nwachukwu; Ademidun A. Adesibikan; Jamiu Kolawole Odusote; Emmanuel O. Adeyemi; Oluwaseyi M. Abioye; Jude A. Okolie
    The use of coal for energy generation is facing serious scrutiny because of environmental concerns. As a result, there is a growing global interest in biomass, a renewable and readily available energy source. However, the utilization of biomass comes with significant drawbacks, including its heterogeneity, low bulk density, and calorific value. Biomass also has a low energy content, high moisture, poor grindability, and high volatile matter, which affect its handling, bulk transportation, and storage. Torrefaction technology has been employed in previous works to improve the properties of biomass for subsequent handling and transportation and for low-cost energy generation. Since coal is a promising precursor for energy generation, it is imperative to compare the physicochemical properties of coal with that of torrefied biomass. Therefore, this study aims to conduct a comprehensive comparison between various grades of coal and torrefied biomass. The review revealed that torrefied biomass could replace coal, as its properties are similar to those of coal, except for high-grade coals. The proximate and ultimate analyses of coals (lignite and bituminous) were found to be comparable to various torrefied biomass materials. The fuel ratio (0.5–2.0), and higher heating values (16,100–19,000 kJ/kg) of coal and torrefied biomass were within the range useful for coal-fired plants. Additionally, ash analyses, ash fusion temperature, hygroscopic tendency, functional group study, and microstructural comparison were reviewed in this study. The results from various studies have shown close similarities with only small disimilarities in the fuel properties between coal and torrefied biomass. Therefore, torrefied biomass is proposed as a complimentary feedstock to coal in various applications.
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    Nigerian Biomass for Bioenergy Applications: A Review on the Potential and Challenges
    (Journal of Renewable Materials, 2023-10-24) Adekunle Akanni Adeleke ; Petrus Nzerem; Ayuba Salihu ; Asmau M. Yahya; Peter Pelumi Ikubanni; Ikechuckwu Okafor; Stephen S. Emmanuel; Adebayo Isaac Olosho; Ademidun A. Adesibikan
    Nigeria, often referred to as “the giant of Africa,” boasts a sizable population, a thriving economy, and abundant energy resources. Nevertheless, Nigeria has yet to fully harness its renewable energy potential, despite its enormous capacity in this field. The goal of this review paper is to thoroughly examine the difficulties and untapped opportunities in utilizing biomass for bioenergy production in Nigeria. Notably, Nigeria generates substantial volumes of biomass annually, primarily in the form of agricultural waste, which is often either discarded or burned inefficiently, resulting in significant ecological and environmental damage. Therefore, an efficient approach to reducing pollution and transforming waste into wealth involves converting these biomass resources into energy. This work critically examines the status of biomass utilization for energy applications in Nigeria and highlights the bottlenecks that impede its widespread adoption. The review emphasizes the economic and ecological advantages of biomass utilization over traditional waste treatment methods. Additionally, it underscores the appeal of biomass as an industrial fuel source, particularly considering the current high cost of fossil fuels in contemporary Nigeria. Relevant literature on biomass, energy, agricultural waste, fossil fuel, and calorific value in the context of Nigeria was reviewed by utilizing a thorough search technique in key scientific databases. The analysis did not include any non-English publications. The findings of this research provide valuable insights into the challenges faced in maximizing Nigeria’s biomass potential and offer strategic recommendations to promote the use of biomass for bioenergy development. This review paper will assist a wide range of local and international readers, as well as industries interested in green and bioenergy, in making informed decisions regarding the most suitable types of biomass for biofuel production.