This project aimed to address the challenge of heavy reliance on traditional biomass in the country through a dual approach of developing an efficient bioethanol cookstove and developing an innovative small-scale optimal bioethanol plant for the production of high-quality bioethanol focuses. The objectives of the project include the characterization of feedstock for bioethanol production, design and fabrication of an optimized bioethanol production unit and fabrication of a bioethanol cookstove. Of these, characterization of the feedstock was successfully conducted after an evaluation process based on the feedstock’s availability and cost/accessibility. Characterization was then carried out on the feedstock based on the carbohydrate content, moisture content, availability and cost of the feedstock. The results highlighted molasses as the feedstock with the highest carbohydrate content of 59.89% thus highlighting its significant potential for fermentation into ethanol. It was also noted that high sugar concentrations in feedstock substrate or juice above 25oBx would negatively affect bioethanol production and hence the need for dilution. With these findings, a batch mix of sugarcane, molasses and cleaned fruit-vegetable waste was proposed for fermentation into ethanol. The high moisture content in the fruit waste and sugarcane would effectively be utilized with water to reduce the sugar content of the feedstock to a range of 15-20oBx. The planned activities for the next phase included simulation of the plant design to show process flow, efficiency and the drawings, purchase and fabrication of bioethanol plant components, performing trial runs to test performance of the bioethanol plant, acquiring feedstock for bioethanol production, testing the quality of the produced ethanol to determine parameters such as the PH, purity, flashpoint and fabrication of the bioethanol stove after its design.
Mr. Arnold Mugisha – PI
Dr. Miria Frances Agunyo – Co-PI