Development and Performance Evaluation of Palm Kernel Shells Fueled Stove Converting Waste to Energy

摘要

Oil palm (Elaesis guineensis Jacq.) is an indigenous forest product of West Africa. The natural groves usually have palms that bear ordinary fruits. These fruits emerged hard-kernelled shell (dura) and thin-kernelled shell (tenera). These kernels were found useful as fuel by researcher due to its high calorific value. The existing fuels such as kerosene, gas, are out of reach to an average Nigerian due to its scarcity and high cost. Other means of fuels like charcoal, wood are not hygienic and also not easy to get due to high rate of deforestation, hence the development of kernel-fuel stove. This was possible after preliminary investigation of its calorific value which was found to be 16.9 MJ. The major components of the kernel-fueled stove are the: frame, blower, miner plate, pot carrier and burning chamber. The capacity of the stove is 22.4 kg of kernel shell; its performance evaluation was carried out by comparing the developed stove with other stoves fueled by sawdust, charcoal, gas, kerosene and electric cooker, and it was discovered it got the shortest time for boiling 3 liters of water in 2.30 minutes.