Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Article Title: Comparative Analysis of the Characteristics of Some Selected Northern and South Western Nigeria Charcoals for Metallurgical Purpose
by Olorunnishola, A.A.G, and Anjorin, S.A

Abstract:
An experimental study was conducted to characterize Gwaska (erythrophleum suaveolens), Marke (Anogeisusleocarpus), Kirya (Prosopisafricana), Baushe (Terminaliaglucoscens), Akala(Rubus Hawaiensis), Mahogany (Khaya Senegalensis), Teak (Tectona Grindis) and Iroko (Milicea Excelsa)charcoals. The first four set of charcoals were sourced from Jos, Plateau State (Northern Nigeria) while the last set of four charcoals were sourced from Ado Ekiti (South Western Nigeria). The test was conducted for proximate analysis (involving the determination of moisture content, ash, volatile matter and fixed carbon) and ultimate analysis (involving the determination of calorific value) of the selected charcoals. The determined values of moisture were 0.94%, 10.12 %, 10.44 %, 10.86 %, 2.92 %, 3.28 %, 2.19 % and 3.68 % for (Gwaska), Marke, Kirya, Baushe, Akala, Mahogany, Teak and Iroko charcoals respectively. Ash values were 6.13 %, 2.53 %, 0.69 %, 6.19 %, 0.5 %, 2.89 %, 1.89 % and 4.66 % respectively. Volatile matter values were6.77 %, 84.95 %, 78.06 %, 77.55 %, 37.14 %, 55.83 %, 60.77 % and 55.39 % respectively and fixed carbon values were86.16%, 2.4 %, 10.81 %, 5.40 %, 59.44 %, 38 %, 35.2 % and 36.27 % respectively. Also the determined values of calorific values were 30,066.5kJ/Kg, 15,900kJ/kg, 18,000 kJ/kg, 15,700 kJ/kg, 26,074 kJ/kg, 26,266 kJ/kg, 27,878 kJ/kg and 25, 951 kJ/kg respectively. All the ash contents of the selected charcoals are within the limit required for Ajaokuta coke (? 13.45 %). Only Gwaska and Teak have calorific values (30,066.5kJ/Kg and 27,878 kJ/kg respectively) close to that of coke (30,500 kJ/kg). The results shown that Gwaska, a charcoal from the Northern Nigeria has the highest calorific value, followed by Teak charcoal from South Western part of the country and both may be efficient for metallurgical purpose. In the light of high energy cost and dwindling profit margins in Nigerian foundry industries; this research has helped in establishing the viability of using locally available fuels in iron melting industries.Nigeria as a nation therefore has to develop a sustainable plantation program focusing on planting trees such as Gwaska in Nothern part of Nigeria and Teak in South Western part of Nigeria to serve as energy base for our foundry industries. This effort in turn will increase our country foreign exchange capability by reducing our dependence on importation of coke.

Keywords: Northern and South Western charcoals, characterization, metallurgical fuel, coke

Download full paper