Evaluation of Young Coconut Husks for Bioethanol Production

Veronica Terenoi, David Wafula Wekesa, Booker Osodo

Abstract: Bioethanol is a renewable energy fuel that can be used in place of gasoline, a fossil fuel. Bioethanol has been produced over time from sugar and starch feedstock. However, because these raw materials are food sources, the feedstock may compete with food supply. Recent research has concentrated on producing bioethanol from non-food sources, particularly agricultural and forestry waste. A young coconut is an immature coconut that is typically harvested before it has reached full maturity. Its husks are inedible to humans and animals, and they pose a significant environmental challenge due to their slow decomposition.This study investigates the potential of young coconut husks, an agricultural waste, for bioethanol production. The research uses the Designer Energy Ltd procedure for biomass analysis and ChemCAD for simulating bioethanol yield. The findings reveal that young coconut husks, containing 33.27 cellulose, 12.85 hemicellulose, and 30.84 lignin, can be a viable feedstock for bioethanol production. The study contributes to the development of sustainable energy solutions.

Keywords: Bioethanol, Energy Efficiency, Optimization, YCH, Yield