Vol. 10, Special Issue 7 (2021)

Author(s):
HY Shrirame, AG Mohod, YP Khandetod, KG Dhande and JS Dhekale

Abstract:
The cashew nut shells is the abundant forms of tropical biomass obtained during de-shelling of cashew kernels, which can be used for energy generation. The present study investigate fuel properties of cashew nut shell (CNS), deoiled cashew nut shell (DCNS) and its gasification feasibility for downdraft gasifier. The physiochemical characteristics of CNS and DCNS at moisture content of 9.15% (wb) and 4.91% (wb), respectively were determined. The characterization revealed that CNS contain higher volatile matter (66.54 wt.%), ash and moisture content, whereas DCNS contain lower volatile matter (35.64 wt.%), ash and moisture content also DCNS contain higher fixed carbon (53.85%) than CNS (16.90%). Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Carbon and Oxygen content in CNS were observed as 4.12%, 0.23%, 45.90% and 38.14% respectively. Carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen content of the DCNS were observed as 70.8%, 2.40% and 1.4% respectively. Oxygen content in the DCNS gets reduced to 13.7%, which was comparatively very less than CNS. The thermo gravimetric analysis of CNS and DCNS revealed that, the DCNS were more suitable for gasification than CNS as the average gross calorific value were observed 6549 kcal/kg and 5126 kcal/kg, respectively. The availability and characterization of the DCNS as a fuel revealed its feasibility for thermal application through gasification.