A bibliometric analysis of the uses of the cocoa pod shell

Abstract

Abstract The research explores the use of cocoa pod shell (CPS) in rural areas and accessible to the cocoa farmer, applying VOSviewer software. The results show that the production of ethanol or biochar with CPS is not feasible, the first due to its low sugar content and the second, due to the requirement of processes with high temperatures for the extraction of different chemical compounds (i.e activated carbon). On the other hand, obtaining pellets represents a viable energy potential, since the calorific value is competitive with other biomass; Also, through anaerobic digestion under the ideal conditions, it can generate 55% in biogas of the solid matter used. Additionally, the ashes produced in direct combustion or pellets rep-resent an excellent catalyst, which can be used in transesterification, for the generation of biodiesel, used with other residual oils, giving a plus in the efficient use of resources.