Cashew Nut Shell Waste: Availability in Small-Scale Cashew Processing Industries and Its Fuel Properties for Gasification

The energy and mass flow of the steam cooking operation of three readilydefined small-scale cashew processing industries was studied toestimate the availability of cashew nut shell. The proximate analysisof cashew shell waste was carried out using ASTMD 73–75method. The calorific value of the cashew shell was carried out usingbomb calorimeter (ASTME 711). The thermogravimetric analysis of thecashew shell was carried out using TG-FTIR with10 ∘ C/minute heating rate. The study revealed that,the small-scale cashew processing industries followed steam-cookingprocess with average energy consumption accounted to be 2969.7 MJ per1000 kg of raw cashew seed. The cashew shell waste generatedin small-scale cashew processing industries was found to be 67.5% oftotal weight of cashew seed, which can be utilized as fuel for thermalenergy supply. The average higher calorific value of the cashew nutshell was found to be 4890 kcal/kg. The thermogravimetricanalysis revealed that 85% weight of cashew nut shell has beendegraded at 500 ∘ C and in 13 minutes. Theavailability and fuel analysis of the cashew shell as a fuel revealedits suitability as a supplementary fuel for thermal applicationthrough pyrolysis in the industry.