Sidikat Kuye
Federal University of Agriculture, Nigeria
Title: Production and evaluation of alternative fuels from cassava peels
Biography
Biography: Sidikat Kuye
Abstract
Fuel is any material that is capable of releasing energy on altering its chemical or physical structure. Cassava peels generated during processing of cassava tuber is a potential source for biofuel if properly harnessed. This work produced and evaluated alternative fuels from cassava peels. Dried milled cassava peel with particle size passing through size No. 10 mesh was used as feedstock for biofuels production. Percentage starch contained in the milled peels was evaluated by hydrolytic and spectrophotometric methods. Biogas was generated from anaerobic digestion of neutralized 25% w/w solid content cassava slurry using 0.1 M sodium hydroxide in a bio-digester for 30 days retention period. Its methane content was analyzed with ASTN2188 biogas analyser. Dilute hydrochloric acid of 0.1 M was used for the acid hydrolysis while alpha-amylase (Termamyle 170) and gluco-amylase were used for the enzyme hydrolysis. The hydrolysates from both processes were fermented with ethanol tolerant yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The results revealed that the percentage starch in the peels was 9.84%. The volume, methane content and Carbon IV Oxide content of the biogas were 0.588 L/kg, 57.72% and 30.97% respectively. The volume and ethanol content of the bioethanol produced from enzyme hydrolysis process were 1560 mL/kg, 68.93%, 68.20% and those of acid hydrolysis were 1400 mL/kg, 67.64% respectively. This work showed the viability of biofuels production from cassava peels.