Characterization of fuel and mechanical properties of charred agricultural wastes: Experimental and statistical studies

A comprehensive review of the production, adoption and sustained use of biomass pellets in Ghana

“…2 ) [ 31 ]. Previous studies [ 22 , 27 , 32 ] found that cassava stalk, yam stalk and maize cob should be prioritized for pellet production in Ghana. Mohammed et al [ 59 ] in their study did not prioritize all types of residues produced by maize (stalks, cobs, and husks) and rice (straw and husks).…”

“…For example, a study in the coast savannah zone of Ghana reported that open straw burning released 1446 kg of CO 2 for every hectare into the atmosphere [ 64 ]. Utilizing crop residues for pellets is desirable because they are affordable, renewable and environmentally friendly [ 22 ]. However, most crop residues require prior processing before compression into pellets because cultivation, storage, and harvesting practices may influence their physical properties [ 65 , 66 ].…”

“…Other studies in Hong Kong have also suggested hydrothermal carbonization as a means of efficiently utilizing crop residues for producing briquettes because it will eliminate the intensive drying of feedstock as a pre-requisite, save significant amount of energy, and produce hydrochar briquettes with high energy density to supplement energy demands [ 67 , 68 ]. Even though residential wood demand may remain high in Ghana [ 31 ], producing pellets from wood waste and crop residues may reduce more than half of the wood demand [ 22 ]. Recent studies reported that about 25% of Ghanaian households cook with LPG [ 7 , 11 ].…”

“…Population growth is projected to cause a surge in household demand for biomass, forming 23% of total energy demand by 2030 [ 21 ]. Ghana has lost 85% of its forest cover in the last century and has an annual deforestation rate of 2%, one of the highest in the world [ 22 ]. The present heavy reliance on biomass accounts for 60% of the decline in forest cover [ 22 , 23 ] and could ultimately destroy Ghana's forests by 2050 [ 24 ].…”

“…Ghana has lost 85% of its forest cover in the last century and has an annual deforestation rate of 2%, one of the highest in the world [ 22 ]. The present heavy reliance on biomass accounts for 60% of the decline in forest cover [ 22 , 23 ] and could ultimately destroy Ghana's forests by 2050 [ 24 ]. Also, exposure to HAP from using biomass accounts for the premature death of 18,000 people every year [ 7 ], a disproportionate part of which are women and children below five years [ 25 ].…”