ABSTRACT

The improvement of the combustion properties of coal and biomass by blending and
carbonization was investigated. Proximate and ultimate analysis of coal, sawdust, corn cob
and their blends were carried out using ASTM methods. The proximate and ultimate analyses
were repeated on the five blends after carbonization at 500oC for one hour. Ten mixtures of
coal-sawdust and coal-corn cob blends were made into briquettes using starch binder. The
calorific values of the samples were determined using a bomb calorimeter, while the thermal
efficiency of the briquettes was obtained using the water boiling test analysis. Pollution
potential of the fuel samples were derived using a hypothetical power plant simulation. The
quantity of CO2, NO2 and SO2 that would be emitted per hour in a 20MW power plant were
calculated. The result of the proximate analysis of the raw samples (coal, sawdust and corn
cob) showed that coal had the highest fixed carbon (42.38%) and the lowest moisture content
(4.28%). Sawdust had the lowest fixed carbon (12.35%) while corn cob had a fixed carbon
content of 15.65%. The results obtained showed considerable correlation between the
uncarbonized coal-sawdust and coal-corn cob blends. The carbonized blends of both the coalsawdust
and coal-corn cob blends showed an improved fixed carbon content and volatile
matter, relative to the uncarbonized. The calorific values and other fuel properties were of
similar trends. The results of the ultimate analysis for coal were 70.04% carbon, 5.32%
hydrogen, 2.03% nitrogen and 1.02% sulphur. Corn cob had 48% carbon, 5.79% hydrogen
and 0.89% nitrogen while sawdust had 48.78% carbon, 5.79% hydrogen and 0.89% nitrogen.
Corn cob and sawdust had no sulphur content, while the uncarbonized coal-sawdust and coalcorn
cob blends showed decreasing carbon content. This study revealed that the fuel
properties of coal and biomass can be improved by blending and carbonization. The
simulated power plant analysis of the fuel showed that blending of coal with biomass reduced
the SO2 and NO2 emissions to an extent. For NO2, the value of coal-sawdust blends ranged
from 82.8-190.8 kg/hr, reduced from 198 kg/hr in coal, while the SO2 content was reduced
from 60.5 kg/hr in coal to 5.6 – 50.4 kg/hr in different blends. Therefore, blending of coal
with either sawdust or corn cob should be encouraged in coal fired power plants to reduce
environmental pollution.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE……………………………………………………………………………. i
CERTIFICATION………………………………………………………………………… ii
DEDICATION…………………………………………………………………….……… iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS……………………………………………………….……… iv
ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………………….……… v
TABLE OF CONTENTS ………………………………………………………….……… vi
LIST OF FIGURES ………………………………………………………………………. ix
LIST OF TABLES…………………………………………………..……………… x
ABBREVIATIONS………………………………………………………………….……… xi
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………………1
1.2 Energy and its uses………………………………………………………… 2
1.2.1 Electricity generation……………………………………………………… 2
1.2.2 Transportation……………………………………………………………… 2
1.2.3 Industrial sector…………………………………………………………… 2
1.2.4 Domestic use……………………………………………………………… 3
1.3 Renewable and non-renewable energy sources…………………………… 3
1.3.1 Renewable energy sources………………………………………………… 3
1.3.1.1 Biomass energy…………………………………………………………… 3
1.3.1.2 Solar energy……………………………………………………………… 4
1.3.1.3 Wind energy……………………………………………………………… 4
1.3.2 Non-renewable energy sources…………………………………………… 4
1.3.2.1 Coal ………………………………………………………………..……… 4
1.3.2.2 Petroleum…………………………………………………………….…… 4
1.4 Energy Resources in Nigeria……………………………………………… 4
7
1.4.1 Coal and biomass in Nigeria……………………………………………… 5
1.5 Energy crises and Environmental problems…………………………… 6
1.5.1 Biomass and climate change…………………………………………… 7
1.6 Justification of the study………………………………………………… 8
1.7 Objectives of the study…………………………………………………… 9
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Origin and formation of coal…………………………………………… 10
2.1.1 Classification of coal………………………………………………… 11
2.2 Coal development in Nigeria……………………………………… 11
2.2.1 Coal reserves and mining in Nigeria………………………………… 12
2.2.1.1 Surface mining……………………………………………………… 12
2.2.1.2 Underground mining………………………………………………… 13
2.2.2 Coal mining and environmental degradation………………………… 13
2.3 Composition of coal………………………………………………… 13
2.3.1 Proximate analysis of coal………………………………………………… 13
2.3.2 Ultimate analysis of coal……………………………………………………14
2.4 Coal utilization………………………………………………………… 14
2.4.1 Electric power generation……………………………………………… 14
2.4.2 Domestic heating……………………………………………..……… 15
2.4.3 Iron and steel…………………………………………………………… 15
2.4.4 Environmental pollution from coal use………………………………… 15
2.5 Biomass as an alternative energy resource……………………………… 16
2.5.1 Biomass energy resources……………………………………………… 17
2.5.2 Classification and types of biomass resources…………………………… 18
2.5.3 Analysis of biomass……………………………………………………… 19
2.6 Sawdust and corn cob as energy sources……………………………… 19
2.6.1 Sawdust…………………………………………………………….……… 20
2.6.2 Corn-cob………………………………………………………………… 21
2.6.3 Environmental and disposal problem of sawdust and corn cob…..……… 22
2.7 Biomass development and use in Nigeria and other African countries… 22
2.8 Co-generation of coal and biomass……………………………………… 24
2.9 Briquetting of solid fuels………………………………………………… 24
8
2.9.1 Briquetting of saw dust and corn cob…………………………………….…25
2.9.2 Physico-chemical and combustion characteristics of sawdust briquette..…25
2.9.3 Effect of binders on the performance of briquette……………..……… 26
2.10 Carbonization of coal and biomass……………………………………… 27
2.10.1 Low temperature carbonization…………………………………………… 28
CHAPTER THREE
EXPERIMENTAL
3.1 Materials and Equipment…………………………………………………… 29
3.2 Sampling and sample preparation………………………………….……… 29
3.3 Proximate analysis of samples……………………………………..……… 29
3.3.1 Determination of moisture content………………………………………… 29
3.3.2 Determination of volatile matter…………………………………………… 30
3.3.3 Determination of ash……………………………………………….……… 30
3.3.4 Determination of fixed carbon…………………………………….……… 30
3.4 Ultimate analysis of samples……………………………………………… 30
3.5 Determination of fuel ratio………………………………………..……… 30
3.6 Calorific value determination……………………………………..……… 31
3.7 Carbonization of samples………………………………………………… 31
3.8 Pollution potential simulation…………………………………………… 32
3.9 Briquetting………………………………………………………..……… 33
3.10 Determination of fuel properties of briquette…………………….……… 33
3.10.1 Water boiling test………………………………………………..……… 33
3.10.2 Ignition time……………………………………………………………… 34
3.10.3 Afterglow time…………………………………………………………… 34
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Results………………………………………………………………….…… 35
4.2 Discussion……………………………………………………………………..39
4.3 Conclusion ……………………….………………………………………… 50
REFERENCES………………………………………………………………………… 51
APPENDICES………………………………………………………………………… 60

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION
1.1General Introduction
History has revealed that many centuries ago,man made use of energy in its natural
form to aid daily living. From burning wood for cooking, to utilizing the force of flowing
water for irrigation and using sun light to dry and preserve foods. The use of energy has
remained unabated till date, only that energy use has changed from the brute and basic
methods, into more sophisticated and industrial ways.
The period from the late 1700s into early 1800s in England and Western Europe have
been called the Industrial Revolution. The dawn of the Industrial Revolution paved way for
an age of energy. This period witnessed drastic changes in virtually every aspect of human
life. It was an advent of machines and use of mechanized methods. Ever since, man’s desire
to live a better and civilized life, with the help of modern technology has caused a great
demand for energy in its many forms. This also came with the adoption of lifestyles that has
an increased demand for energy use.The technological advances that occurred during the
industrial revolution of the 1700s have numerously been credited to coal. Before this period,
wood was the major source of energy.
Consequently, the increasing adoption of a lifestyle that was energy intensive came
with the quest for a better energy resource. Today, these energy needs are majorly supplied
by fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas and petroleum. These fuels are known as primary
energy sources, and they provide most of the energy that powers man’s modern life.
Petroleum was discovered by Edwin Drake in 1859 in the United States. It was first used for
lightening lamps and other basic uses. With the breakthrough of petroleum refining into
various fractions, and increased use of internal combustion engines in automobiles, motor
cycles and aero planes, the demand for petroleum never dwindled. In 1992, the National
Energy Strategy in the United States concluded that, “for the foreseeable future, oil
[Petroleum] will remain a critical fuel for the United States and all other industrialized
nations.” The quest for oil has continued up to the point that it has become a potential
economic and security concern for developed countries, especially after the 1970s crisis.
Despite these, coal has not been totally abandoned. It is used for electricity generation in
countries with large coal reserves, with no cheaper alternative. For example, 73% of South
Africa’s primary energy is derived from coal1. In China’s energy strategy, coal plays the most
important role especially for its electricity sector2.
13
The availability of energy resources and its effective utilization has a bearing on national
development and living standards. Energy is required for national development, and its
presence directly betters the standard of living. The availability of vast amounts of energy
resources in a nation is supposed to bring significant progress to the economy, and living
standards of her citizenry. The effect of energy can be seen in its ability to multiply the work
of a few labourers by many folds e.g an automobile would move many folds faster than man.
The value of energy is noticed when its utilization results in a final product. Good
management practices should aim at reducing the rate of exhaustion of the resource base,
rather than increase or even sustain the rate of consumption3.Consumers and manufacturers,
who enjoy the efficient use of energy, should become more knowledgeable about it.
1.2 ENERGY AND ITS USES
The use of energy has increased tremendously with sophistication of technology, and
the ease it brings to living. Energy usage can be divided into four main sectors; Electricity
generation, Transportation, Industrial and Domestic.
1.2.1 Electricity Generation: Electric power is the largest energy demand sector in
developed nations. Most electrical power is generated by converting mechanical energy to
electrical energy with a turbine. Water is heated to steam, and steam at a very high
temperature and pressure is used to turn the turbine. The heat used to produce the steam is
gotten by burning fuel like coal, natural gas or fuel oil. Most of the electricity produced in
the United States is produced by Steam turbines. Electricity is a secondary source of energy,
it is referred to as an energy carrier4.
1.2.2 Transportation: Economic development of nations has caused the need for man and
goods to move, more than before. Transportation system is very essential for trade in an
increasingly globalized world. With increasing use of trains, cars, trucks, speed boats and air
planes, transportation has become a high demand energy sector. The transportation sector
accounts for 63% of the total growth in world consumption of petroleum and other liquid
fuels. Transportation activities accounted for 28% of all US energy use in 19875.
1.2.3 Industrial Sector:The industrial sector encompasses a large number of industries. This
includes; manufacturing (food, paper, chemicals, refining, iron and steel, and others) and
non-manufacturing (agriculture, mining, telecommunication and construction). Energy is
consumed in the industrial sector for a wide range of purposes, such as processing, assembly,
heating, cooling/ air conditioning, packaging and lighting in buildings. The type of fuel
consumed by the industrial sector varies, and depends on the level of technological
14
development, among other factors. Although the industrial sector energy consumption is
largely based on secondary energy sources like electrical power, it also make use of primary
energy like natural gas and petroleum products (naphtha and natural gas liquids) which is
used as feedstock to produce fertilizers for agriculture and petrochemicals for the
manufacture of plastics.
1.2.4 Domestic Use: Energy is also used to a considerable extent in homes. Activities like
cooking, heating, (during winter) and lightening, take a bulk of domestic energy use.
Increase in population and household, causes a correlating increase in domestic energy use.
The fuel used varies widely based on factors like climate, technological development, and
cheap energy source. In the U.K, the fuel mix for domestic consumption has significantly
changed since 1990 when 8% of consumption was coal, 63%, natural gas and 20%,
electricity, to 1%, coal, 68%, natural gas and 23%, electricity in 2012.6
1.3 RENEWABLE AND NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
Renewable energy sources refer to those sources that cannot be exhausted by their
continual usage. These energy sources are naturally replaced at a rate faster than its
consumption. Non renewable energy sources are the direct opposite of the former. They
diminish and can be exhausted after a period of usage. Presently, the world uses more of nonrenewable
energy than renewable energy. With increasing world population and the
corresponding increasing need of energy for every day life,the world’s non-renewable energy
resources are depleting at a very fast rate. Scientists are already estimating the period when
individual non-renewable resource would be exhausted. Hence, there is a need to balance the
world’s use of energy so that a future energy crisis is avoided. In the United States, most of
its energy sources come from non-renewable energy sources, though there have been
government push for increased renewable energy use. While it may be difficult to totally stop
the use of non-renewable energy sources, it is important to carry out research in order to
make them environmentally friendly.
1.3.1 Renewable Energy Sources
1.3.1.1 Biomass Energy: Biomass is the term used to describe all organic matter produced by
photosynthesis. Bioenergy from biomass comes either from dedicated energy crops, or from
residues generated in the processing of food crops or other products such as wood shaving
and saw dust from the wood furniture industry. As long as plants photosynthesize, there
would always be an inexhaustible biomass energy resource. The interest in biomass as a raw
material for producing energy has emerged rapidly in many countries7.
15
1.3.1.2 Solar Energy: The sun is the source of solar energy. It is an extremely hot gaseous
sphere. The sun is the source of most of the energy used on earth. It is renewable, naturally
replenished and does not run out. It does not produce pollutants and has minimal impacts on
the environment8. Though solar energy is abundant, it is distributed over a wide area. Hence
it needs collectors with large surface area to gather and utilize it. Also, it is very costly and
requires a lot of technical knowledge for effective utilization.
1.3.1.3 Wind Energy: Wind has a potential to provide a substantial amount of clean global
energy needs. It is available everywhere, does not cause pollution nor any environmental
hazard during utilization for power generation. Extracting power from wind turbines is an
established technology. With turbines, wind can be used for on-grid and off-grid electric
power generation. It can also be used for water pumping and milling.
1.3.2 Non Renewable Energy Sources
1.3.2.1 Coal:This is a fossil fuel formed from the remains of plants that have under gone
biochemical and geochemical changes over a long period of time. It is non-renewable, and is
the fuel for most of the world’s power plants.
1.3.2.2 Petroleum:It is sometimes called oil or crude oil and is a dark, viscous fluid, found in
subsurface rock formations. It is formed from the fossilized remains of algae, zoo and animal
plankton over millions of years. The long period of time it takes to be formed, and the present
rate of consumption, makes it non-renewable. Petroleum and its refined products, is the major
source of energy for many technological equipment. A large percentage of fuel used in
transportation is from petroleum,it is also the major feedstock used by the petrochemical
industry.
1.4 ENERGY RESOURCES IN NIGERIA
Nigeria has often been referred to as giant of Africa. This is because of the vast
amounts of energy resources she possesses. Nigeria has been faced with the challenge of
effectively utilizing the vast energy resources bestowed on her. These resources range from
abundant sunlight, wind, hydropower, petroleum, natural gas, coal and many others. Despite
these resources, the country is in short supply of electricity. The presence of energy resources
should expectedly catalyze economic growth, technological advancement and creates better
living standards for the people. Access to energy, specifically electricity, is an impetus for
economic and social development. But in Nigeria, lack of policy implementation, corruption
and rigid government control of electricity generation has caused a dismal failure of
achieving reliable electric power supply. The electricity needed to power and grow the
16
economy, drive local development and tackle urban and rural poverty is simply inadequate or
not available at all. A well-managed electric power sector has profound benefits to the
economy.
In Nigeria, non-renewable energy resources includepetroleum and natural gaswhich
accounts for over 90 percent of Nigeria’s GDP. Although Nigeria has been among the
world’s top ten petroleum producing nation, she still imports most of her fuel needs because
of lack of adequate infrastructure for refining.Renewable energy resources like hydro power
and solar are being used, but their impact is very minimal on a national scale. Dams have
been constructed at Kainji in Niger State for electricity generation. The use of solar energy
from sunlight has been restricted to off grid use like street lightening, solar borehole pumps
and for backup systems. In recent times, energy resources like coal and wind have been
virtually neglected.
1.4.1 Coal and Biomass in Nigeria
Nigeria is blessed with an abundance of good quality coals, as well as a vast amount
of biomass resource. For a long period of time, coal and biomass have been the fuel used as
primary energy resource. These fuels were burnt to provide heat and power for domestic and
industrial uses. Nigeria has extensive coal resource, with proven reserve of 639 million
tonnes9. The demonstrated coal reserves in the world are enough for consumption for over
215 years at the 1998 level10.
Coal was first discovered in Nigeria in 1909 at Udi by the mineral survey of Southern
Nigeria11. Exploitation of Nigerian coal began in 1916. As exploration and exploitation
continued, mines were opened at Okpara, Ribadu, Onyeama and later Okaba in present day
Benue State. Elsewhere mines were also opened at Ezimo, Orukpa, Ogboyoga and Inyi. The
mining methods were both surface/open cast and underground mining. By 1967, production
ceased as a result of the civil war, and started again in 1971 with about 25000 tonnes
produced that year9.
The coal fuel was used by the Nigerian Railway Corporation to fuel their locomotives.
Other users were the Electricity Company of Nigeria and Nigerian Cement Company at
Nkalagu. Thus, coal was the fuel that supplied most of Nigeria’s industrial energy needs at
that time. This was before the discovery and wide spread use of petroleum products.
However, in recent times, it is obvious that there is the need to reintroduce coal into our
national energy matrix, hence the renewed interest in coal technology12.
Biomass is an energy source that has interested many researchers since the awareness
for the need to reduce Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and environmental degradation.
17
Biomass consists mainly of the remains of dead plants and animals. Biomass is considered
the renewable energy source with the highest potential to the energy needs of modern society
for both developed and developing economies worldwide.13,14 The early man made use of fire
wood, a biomass resource, as fuel for cooking. In temperate regions of the world, wood logs
and shavings were burnt to keep the house warm during the winter cold. Wide availability,
carbon neutrality, environmental friendliness and cheap nature of biomass fuel are its
advantages. The drawbacks to biomass fuel are its low heating value and the difficulty in
striking a food-fuel balance, since most foods consumed by man are biomass based.
Biomass, in the form of firewood is the major fuel source for people in the rural
communities. About 70% of Nigeria’s population lives in rural areas. Many rural dwellers
cannot afford alternative fuels to biomass fuel. This is because of their low income in
addition to low purchasing power, and their low standard of living. Biomass fuel used
consist of dried wood, corn cobs, saw dust, wood shavings, bagasse e.t.c. This energy
resource is used for cooking, heating and drying.
1.5 ENERGY CRISIS AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS
The world energy crisis of the 1970s was a big problem for many world leaders. In an
attempt to avoid a repeat of such, proactive leaders started creating what was called an
energy mix. This would help in reducing their over dependence on fossil fuels such as crude
oil and natural gas. The energy mix of a nation is a combination of two or more energy
sources which is readily available and can be easily used. The negative economic effect of
overdependence on only one energy source, especially when it is imported is grave. This
spurred up researches, seeking to open up other energy sources.Beyond the past energy
crisis, there is a bigger challenge ahead. The world’s depleting crude oil reserves are already
a source of concern. Scientists are already setting probable dates when specific reserves
would be exhausted. At present levels of production and consumption, Nigeria’s oil reserves
are expected to run out in about forty years.15
Meanwhile, the negative environmental impacts of many energy resources have raised
concerns. Energy exploration and delivery has its attendant cost to the environment. These
range from Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, noise pollution, oilspillage, gas flaring and
land disturbances from coal mining. Over time these activities has been significantly
detrimental to man’s wellbeing and environmental stability. Greenhouse gas and its effects;
global warming and climate change are the result of using fuels that harm the environment.
The use of these fuels releases potentially dangerous gases to the atmosphere. This
18
causesacid rain and fog that destroys vegetation and create health problems like lung cancer,
asthma, and pneumonia. They also deplete the ozone layer. One of the agreements of the
Kyoto agreement is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and problems related to climate
change.
In Nigeria, irrespectiveof her vast petroleum and natural gas deposits and despite
being a leading petroleum exporter in the world, shestill faces serious energy crisis. About
60-70 percent of Nigerians are excluded from the national grid, which is also plagued by
frequent power outages that lasts about 20 hours daily in places connected to the grid16.There
is also the problem of poor waste management. Municipal and industrial wastesare disposed
into rivers, streams e.t.c.Exploration and exploitation of crude petroleum have caused
devastating environmental problems within the vicinity where crude oil is mined. The
problem of oil spillage has been a reoccurring one which has led to the genocide of fishes in
rivers of the Niger delta. Local communities no longer have access to clean drinking water.
Waste waters from mining operations, boilers and cooling systems may be contaminated
with heavy metals, acids, organic materials and suspended solids which affect water
quality.17 Added to these are social and political problems like oil bunkering, militancy, and
inter-ethnic conflict. The problems caused by some energy sources have raised the need for a
better, efficient and environmentally friendly energy source. With advances in research,
there have been developments of energy sources that make little or no negative impact on the
environment.
1.5.1 Biomass and Climate Change
The use of biomass materials as a source of renewable energy is a big step at
combating the increasing effects of climate change. The release of greenhouse gases into the
atmosphere overtime causes a gradual increase in the earth’s atmospheric temperature
because the gases trap heat from the sun. The slow but steadily increasing earth’s temperature
causes some climatic changes. These include the melting of ice caps, increased sea levels and
drought.
One of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming is carbon (IV) oxide. This is
released from the combustion of fuels. The atmospheric concentration of carbon (IV) oxide is
increasing, based largely on the consumption of fossil fuels. The combustion of fossil fuels
(coal, petroleum and natural gas) releases large amounts carbon (IV) oxide stored and is a
major source of greenhouse gases. Considering the impact of fossil fuels, it is important to
seek ways of controlling carbon (IV) oxidein sustainable methods that would not negatively
19
impact technological advancement. Unlike fossil fuels, biomass is not stored up for long. The
combustion of biomass also releases carbon (IV) oxide, which is estimated as the net carbon
(IV) oxide taken up during the biomass photosynthesis. In essence, the combustion of
biomass is CO2 neutral, as no extra CO2 is given off. Biomass represents anabundant carbonneutral
renewable resource for the production of bioenergy andbiomaterials, and its enhanced
use would address several societal needs18. The CO2 emitted from biomass based fuels
combustion does not increase atmospheric CO2 concentrations, assuming the biogenic carbon
emitted is offset by the uptake of CO2 resulting from the growth of new biomass19. Field
trials have been done on the use of Miscanthus, a rhizomatous grass.IfMiscanthus was grown
on 10 percent of suitable land area in the European Union, the total carbon mitigation could
be 76 Mt Carbon yr−1, which is about 9 percent of the EU total Carbon emissions.20Hence,
biomass contribution to global warming is low. It contains negligible amount of sulphur, so
nosulphur oxide pollution from its use. The use of biomass for fuel would ultimately reduce
the net release of greenhouse gases, and would steadily lower climate change.
1.6JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY
Literature has revealed that very few studies have been done on Nigerian coal and
biomass blends (especially sawdust and corn cob), in an attempt to evaluate their
environmental suitability and as an alternative energy source for the nation.
The combustion of coal in its natural form releases potentially dangerous gases like
CO2, SOx, and NOx, which cause air pollution, acid rain, global warming and ultimately,
climate change. This study seeks to alleviate this problem by combining coal with biomass
and carbonizing it. Biomass combustion is carbon neutral and environmental friendly and
would make coal a better fuel in combination with coal in moderate amounts. This is
expected to reducegreenhouse gas emissions.
Sawdust and corn cobs, the biomass to be used for this study, are usually burnt up at
dump sites. This creates a great waste of an energy resource that could be used when
processed into a better form. Studies have revealed that the lignocellulosic part of biomass
is a heavy energy carrier. Also, biomass energy resource like poultry droppings and cow
dung give out an odour that pollutes the air. This pollution can be minimized by converting
it to a form in which it can be used as fuel.
This research is also justified by the need to have a national energy mix. In Nigeria,
there is no major alternative energy resource to petroleum. This has made Nigerians the
direct recipient of the unfriendly petroleum price hike and inadequate availability of
20
petroleum products. Nigeria’s energy use needs to be diversified from only petroleum into
other energy sources. This diversification can only be achieved when alternative fuels like
coal and biomass are brought into the nations’ energy mix and overdependence on oil is
stopped. The energy mix provides alternative energy sources that can cushion the negative
impact of depending on just one energy source; oil, in the case of Nigeria.
1.7 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
This study is aimed at achieving the following objectives:
1. To characterize sub-bituminous coal and its blends with corn cobs and sawdust
(biomass)
2. To determine the most suitable sub-bituminous coal-biomass blend ratio for
combustion
3. To improve the thermal efficiency of coal and its biomass blends.
4. To reduce the environmental pollution effects of coal.
5. To produce suitable fuels from waste materials e.gsawdust and corn cob.
6. To propose briquetting as a suitable way of using coal and its biomass blends as
domestic fuel.

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