THE POTENTIAL EFFECT OF COGENERATION SYSTEM IN COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE
THE POTENTIAL EFFECT OF COGENERATION SYSTEM IN COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE
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Date
2014
Authors
Effah, Bernard
Adu, Sylvia
Adu, George
Frimpong-Mensah, Kwasi
Adjei, Simeon
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
World Journal of Agricultural & Biological Sciences
Abstract
The energy problems in Ghana and Africa in general have perpetuated the need for sustainable energy
production sources. One of the sustainable energy production systems is the cogeneration system. Cogeneration
is the simultaneous production of useful heat and energy by using a primary fuel which is supposed to be easily
available. It is fast gaining grounds, especially in the timber industry as an efficient means of maximizing the
usage and economic value of wood residue. This research was carried out to assess the cogeneration system of
Samartex Timber and Plywood Company, Ghana. The input and output volumes of logs (irrespective of species)
at the four production departments of the company (sawmill, plymill, veneermill and the moulding mill) were
calculated to identify the estimated wood residue volume generated at each department. The quantity of
electricity generated from the residues was calculated to assess the rate of electricity production. The company
had an average percentage residue of 44.50%. This yielded a volume of 619.654 m3
per month which was able
to generate an estimated electricity of 2,408,055.694 Kw/h per month. It was realized that any wood species can
be used for cogeneration but its feasibility depends on continuous supply of the primary fuel. The amount of
carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted during the burning of wood residue is typically 90% less than when burning fossil
fuel which helps to reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere which reduces the global warming. It is
recommended that the system should be practiced in the timber industry which usually has enough wood
residues for primary fuel.
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Citation
Adu, S., Adu, G., Frimpong-Mensah, K., Adjei, S., & Effah, B. (2014). THE POTENTIAL EFFECT OF COGENERATION SYSTEM IN COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE. World, 1(1), 1-9.