FEASIBILITY OF GROUNDNUT (Arachis hypogeae L.) BIOMASS AS POTENTIAL FEEDSTOCK FOR BIO-FUEL PRODUCTION

Abstract

This research investigated the feasibility of groundnut wastes (shells and peels) as potential feedstock for bio-fuel production. About 100 g each of groundnut shells and peels were used for acid hydrolysis and 750 g of the Peels and shells were subjected to slow pyrolysis at 450 oC in a fixed bed reactor. Fourier Transform- Infrared Ray (FTIR), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectral (GC-MS) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) were used to perform analytical investigation on the wastes to determine the functional groups, chemical compounds and the morphology of the samples respectively. The proximate and fiber composition of the peels and shells were: moisture (6.00a±0.09, 6.50b±0.10), ash (2.72a ±0.09, 8.00b±0.11), lignin (27.00c±0.28, 28.00d±0.50), hemicellulose (29.00e±0.76, 46.00f±0.01) and 𝜶-cellulose (37.00c±0.58, 34.00d±0.28) respectively .The optimum conditions of monomeric sugar in the peels and shells were noted at a temperature (100 oC, and120 oC.), acid concentration (4% and 6% w/v) and contact time (60 min and 90 min) respectively. About 7.89% (5 mills) and 3.94% (10 mills) of bioethanol were recovered from (shells and peels respectively) and the FT-IR spectral established the presence of O-H, C-H, and C-O functional groups which marks the presence of ethanol. The SEM analysis for pre-hydrolyzed biomass showed a well-organized and smooth surfaced structure while the post hydrolyzed biomass showed a ruptured surface, 11.7% of peels and 16.1% of shells bio oil were recovered. The GC-MS results of the derived bio oil revealed the presence of phenol, 2-methoxybenzene, alkanes, naphthalene-1, 6-dimethylhexadecanoic methyl esters and acetamide which are essential chemical constituent of wood preservative. This study showed that the biomass samples are promising feedstock for bio-refining process. The bio ethanol and bio oil derived from the peels and shells revealed that it can generate sustainable oil for energy and the bio char for soil remediation purpose.