Cashew Nut Shell Waste: Availability in Small-Scale Cashew Processing Industries and Its Fuel Properties for Gasification

Abstract

The energy and mass flow of the steam cooking operation of three readily defined small-scale cashew processing industries was studied to estimate the availability of cashew nut shell. The proximate analysis of cashew shell waste was carried out using ASTMD 73–75 method. The calorific value of the cashew shell was carried out using bomb calorimeter (ASTME 711). The thermogravimetric analysis of the cashew shell was carried out using TG-FTIR with 10 ∘ C/minute heating rate. The study revealed that, the small-scale cashew processing industries followed steam-cooking process with average energy consumption accounted to be 2969.7 MJ per 1000 kg of raw cashew seed. The cashew shell waste generated in small-scale cashew processing industries was found to be 67.5% of total weight of cashew seed, which can be utilized as fuel for thermal energy supply. The average higher calorific value of the cashew nut shell was found to be 4890 kcal/kg. The thermogravimetric analysis revealed that 85% weight of cashew nut shell has been degraded at 500 ∘ C and in 13 minutes. The availability and fuel analysis of the cashew shell as a fuel revealed its suitability as a supplementary fuel for thermal application through pyrolysis in the industry.