Fuel Characterization and Thermogravimetric Analysis of Melon (Citrullus colocynthis L.) Seed Husk

Authors:

Bemgba Nyakuma, Olagoke Oladokun, Yakubu Dodo, Syie Wong, Habibu Uthman and Muhamad Halim

Bemgba Nyakuma-1,2, Olagoke Oladokun-1,2, Yakubu Dodo-1, Syie Wong-2, Habibu Uthman-1 and Muhamad Halim-3

Centre for Hydrogen Energy, Institute of Future Energy, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Skudai, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Skudai, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Centre of Polymer Composite Research & Technology (PoCResT), Institute of Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia bbnyax1@gmail.com, bnbevan2@live.utm.my

The thermochemical fuel properties of melon seed husk (MSH) were characterized to examine its solid biofuel (SBF) potential for future bioenergy utilization. MSH is a cheap, abundant and renewable source of lignocellulosic waste generated from the extraction of vegetable oil from melon seeds. Thermochemical characterization was examined by proximate, ultimate, and thermogravimetric (TG-DTG) analyses, as well as Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The results showed that MSH exhibits significant volatile matter, fixed carbon, carbon and low nitrogen, sulphur and ash content with a heating value (HHV) of 19.02 MJ/kg. FT-IR analysis indicated functional groups for aliphatic, ester, ketone, alcohol, and aromatic compounds. Thermal decomposition of MSH occurred in three stages: drying (303–448 K), devolatization (448–673 K) and char degradation (673–1073 K).

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