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

Abstract

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).