Biofuel production from lignocellulosic materials

project summary

This project will produce second generation biofuels (bioethanol, biogas and biodiesel) from lignocellulosic materials like agricultural and industrial residuals, manure and household waste. Agricultural residuals such as rice husks obtained after harvesting of rice, are usually considered wastes which are discarded. Also sawdusts generated in the wood industry are usually also discarded. Household wastes are not treated today in Ghana - only placed at dump sites. These wastes could be used in a much more sustainable way, producing biofuels instead. With Ghana's commitment to increase its biofuel capacity, this will go a long way to serve that purpose. The use of such biomasses for production of a second generation of biofuels will change the society from a society increasing applying fossil fuel to a modern biomass based society with both socio-economic and ecological consequences. The project will develop and adopt sustainable biofuel production systems for three different types of communities: rural, cooperatives and large cities. The liquid biofuels can be used for agricultural equipment used on the farms to increase production, fuels for the transportation sector and provide power for villagers if the the village is not connected to the national grid. The biogas can be used for cooking and light, or be converted to electricity or used the transportation sector. In addition, residuals from biofuel production will be used as fertilizer adding value and sustainability to the whole process.