Peer Reviewed Journal via three different mandatory reviewing processes, since 2006, and, from September 2020, a fourth mandatory peer-editing has been added.
In Ecuador, there is a constant need to pursuit energy
independence, have created a new industry focused on
energy generation by harnessing renewable sources.
Biomass is established as the third leading source for
producing electricity as the main source for the generation
of thermal energy. However, the problems related to the
low density of the different types of biomass and the
difficulty in carrying and storing have caused the need to
generate solids with higher density and stronger hardness
known as pellets and briquettes. This paper develops an
analysis of the possibilities of pelletizing the Ecuadorian
cocoa pod husk and its use as biofuel. Several pellets
configurations were proposed based on the diameter and
length ratio. An experimental setup was established to
crush and screen the cocoa pod husk in order to obtain less
than 1.5 mm particle size. Then the pellets were made
using a small scale pellet machine and finally burned in a
combustion chamber for the evaluation of the energy
potential by means of the high heat value and ash content.
Finally, the selection of the most energy efficient pellet
configuration is made taking into consideration
international pellet quality standards as well. This largescale
project would represent a cost savings in the
Ecuadorian industrial sector leading further to lowering
smog emissions into the environment from burning fossil
fuels and also it would prevent the cocoa pod husk as a
focus for the spread of Phytophthora species which is a
main cause of economic losses in the cocoa industry.
