Abstract: Cashew nut shell waste from processing industries after removal of cashew kernel was characterized and deoiled in a simple batch type kiln by radiant heating (indirect heating) method. This paper present the results of fuel properties of cashew nut shell (CNS), deoiled cashew nut shell (DCNS) and its feasibility for gasification. The physiochemical characteristics of CNS and DCNS were determined at moisture content of 9.16 % (wb) and 4.91 % (wb), respectively. The physicochemical characterization revealed that CNS contain higher volatile matter (66.84 wt.%), ash and moisture content, whereas DCNS contain lower volatile matter (35.64 wt.%), ash and moisture content also DCNS contain higher fixed carbon (53.85 %) than CNS (16.89%) are the main advantages of DCNS gasification. Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Carbon and Oxygen content in CNS were observed as 4.12 %, 0.23 %, 45.90 % and 38.14 % respectively. Carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen content of the DCNS were observed as 70.80 %, 2.40 % and 1.4 % respectively. Oxygen content in the DCNS gets reduced to 13.7 %, which was comparatively very less than CNS. The thermo gravimetric analysis of CNS and DCNS revealed that, the DCNS were more suitable for gasification than CNS as the average calorific value were observed 6484.41 kcal kg-1 and 4880.19 kcal kg-1, respectively. The availability and characterization of the DCNS as a fuel revealed its feasibility for thermal application through gasification. The availability and characterization of the DCNS as a fuel revealed its feasibility for producer gas generation through gasification for thermal application. Also a solution to reduce the disposal problem of cashew nut shells generated from cashew processing industries.

Keywords: Cashew nut shell, Deoiled cashew nut shell, Proximate analysis, Gasification, Thermo-gravimetric analysis

| DOI: 10.17148/IARJSET.2022.91008