Renewable Energy Alternatives

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Browsing Renewable Energy Alternatives by Funder "Maasai Mara University"

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  • Publication
    Publication
    Effects of Green Bio-Catalysts and Ferric Oxide in Cryo-Mesophillic Temperature Biogas Production
    (International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS), 2019-09) Chaka, Osano Aloys and Bakari
    Biogas production at low temperature regimes isannoyingly slow and yields low biogas volumes. Most biogassupplements are expensive and substrate-specific. The effects oftwo bio-catalysts Saccharomyeces spp. and Acanthaceae spp. andan inorganic catalyst ferric oxide on biogas production using cowdung slurry was investigated. 1.5L batch anaerobic digesteroperating in unstirred cryo-mesophilic temperature regime of20.0 -24.5 0C were utilized. The substrate underwent mildsynergistic pre-treatment by steaming with 1% sodiumhydroxide solution. The alkalinity and volatile acids of thesubstrates were insignificantly perturbed by inclusion of theadditives. Additives Saccharomyeces spp. and Acanthaceae spp.stabilized digestion temperature while ferric oxide stabilized pHdrifts. The overall biogas yields produced in the 100-dayretention period were in the order of 4615ml (990.34ml/g-Volatilesolids) for ferric oxide, 2335ml (494.08ml/g-Volatile solids) forSaccharomyeces spp., 1750ml (328.94ml/g-Volatile solids) forAcanthaceae spp. and 1030ml (212.37ml/g-Volatile solids) for thecontrol sample. Use of these additives would thus optimize biogasproduction in cold countries.
  • Publication
    Publication
    Insights into the Quality and Quantity of Briquette Fuels from Bone Wastes
    (International Journal of Innovative Studies in Sciences and Engineering Technology (IJISSET), 2020-04) Kehongo, M. Nyanguru; Aloys, Mosima Osano
    In Kenya, bone wastes are accumulating rapidly yet have no immediate potential industrial use. Accumulation of waste bones have adversely impacted land, air and water. There is a need to mop out waste bones from the environment into a valuable product. This research investigated the quality and quantity of briquettes fuel prepared from waste bones. The waste bones were pyrolyzed in a metal kiln. Three briquette samples with 75.00%, 40.00% and 20.00% binder were prepared and their calorific values compared with that of commercial charcoal samples. The bones char and binder (black clay) were characterized by Infrared Spectrometer and their combustion parameters analyzed using standard methods. The average product yield of the bone char from the bone waste was 80.00%. The bone char recorded a moisture content (MC) of 4.17%,ash content (AC) of 40.83%, volatile matter (VM) of 23.67%, fixed carbon (FC) of 31.33% and calorific value (CV) of 18.68 kJ/g. On the other hand, the binder had4.25%MC, 89.50%AC, 5.00%VM, 1.85%FC and calorific value of 2.28kJ/g. The calorific values of the three samples were 6.08 kJ/g (75.00% binder), 12.89 kJ/g (40.00% binder) and 13.91 kJ/g (20.00% binder) respectively. The calorific value of 100% bone char (18.6842 kJ/g) was higher than that of the charcoal samples (12.00-15.52 kJ/g).In conclusion briquettes fuels prepared from bone waste can complement charcoal and combat environment pollution caused by deforestation and accumulation of waste bones.