In a breakthrough for clean energy, researchers have demonstrated a new method to repurpose sugarcane bagasse. Sugarcane bagasse, the fibrous material left after extracting juice from sugarcane, is often treated as a waste. However, this biomass residue holds significant potential for clean energy production.
In a study conducted in the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of Ilorin, by Adewale Adeniyi, Joshua Ighalo, and Abdulmaliq Abdulsalam, the researchers used an advanced chemical process simulation method to model the thermochemical conversion of bagasse through pyrolysis—a process that decomposes organic material at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen. A paper based on this study titled ‘Modeling of integrated processes for the recovery of the energetic content of sugarcane bagasse’ was published in the journal Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining, which is a definitive journal on sustainable products, fuels, and energy.
The researchers demonstrated two energy recovery methods: one focusing on the pyrolysis of sugarcane bagasse and another integrating the pyrolysis process with steam reforming. Their findings showed that slow pyrolysis yields more biofuel than fast pyrolysis, making it a more efficient approach. They also discovered that moisture content affects biofuel quality, highlighting the need for pre-drying of feedstock. Additionally, the researchers developed a model to determine hydrogen yield under different process conditions, revealing that increasing the steam-to-feed ratio improves hydrogen production at lower temperatures than traditional methods. These insights are useful in optimizing hydrogen production from biomass.
“A key contribution of our study is the development of a predictive model to estimate hydrogen yield from sugarcane bagasse steam reforming under a specified set of process inputs,” said Abdulsalam. “By optimizing process conditions to enhance both bio-oil yield and quality, we have developed a more efficient energy recovery system. The implications of this work extend beyond sugarcane bagasse, as our approach can be applied to other biomass waste and materials with similar chemical properties. Our work presents a novel solution to two of the world’s most pressing challenges: waste management and sustainable energy production.”
The findings of this study have the potential to revolutionize the renewable energy industry, particularly in sugarcane-producingcountries like Nigeria, where this innovative approach could reduce both environmental waste and dependence on fossil fuels. Transforming agricultural byproducts into renewable energy sourcesona large scalewill not only generate clean energy but also reduce their carbon footprints, promoting global sustainability goals.
“This study paves the way for cleanerenergy solutions, highlighting how alternative fuels can play a pivotal role in the effortsto address climate change,” Abdulsalam added. “By turning waste into an essential resource, it offers a glimpse into a more sustainable ecosystem powered by scientific innovation.”
With growing national interest in biofuels and circular economy practices, this research provides a pathway for energy companies to create wealth from biomass waste. Implementing this technology could make a huge impact by providing more affordable and sustainable sources of energy, leading to new revenue streams, boosting our nation’s economy, and contributing to the world’s shift towards a circular economy.
For more details, see the publication; Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining/Volume13-Issue4/p.1057-1067.
