Utilization of Tetrapleura tetraptera Waste for Energy and Climate Change Mitigation

Abstract

Charcoal production as practiced in Ghana contributes greatly to the deterioration of the environment through deforestation. Tetrapleura tetraptera is used as a spice and thickener as well as syrup and condiments among others. It now finds wide usage in the alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage industries. In these operations, huge quantities of waste are generated. The objective of this work was to convert the waste into energy for climate change mitigation. The woody fruit residue of T. tetraptera and wood cut from the forest were carbonized into charcoal in a steel carbonizer at a temperature of 5000C. Charcoal yield, physicochemical and energy properties were determined. The quantity of trees that would have been cut from the forest to produce the same amount of charcoal as obtained from the woody fruit residue was determined. The charcoal yield from Cylicodiscus gabonensis and Acacia nilotica was 25% each whilst the yield from T. tetraptera woody fruit residue was 30%. T. tetraptera fruit residue was found to be a high yielding charcoal. It showed quality charcoal in terms of high calorific value and fixed carbon content comparing with the preferred wood species investigated. The use of T. tetraptera fruit waste is therefore a suitable sustainable option for charcoal production and this option will greatly reduce the environmental pollution caused by the indiscriminate dumping of the waste.