The Role of Science and Technology in the Conversion of Biowastes to Biofuel in Nigeria
Abstract
Biowastes are biological wastes which are which are derived from humans, animals and plants. These wastes include agricultural wastes, human wastes and animal wastes. When the environment is littered with biowastes it can serve as a potential source of microorganism which may infect the environment and result in the spread of diseases that are detrimental to both human and animal. Biowastes also affect the environment soil health, crop productivity and contributes to global warming and climate change. Agricultural wastes are basically potential source of biofuel as well as animal wastes like excrement. The burning or use of fossil fuels lead to air pollution, water pollution, climate change and health challenges like, respiratory problems and eye irritation. The conversion of biowastes to biofuel in Nigeria would help to mitigate the challenges associated with biowastes accumulation in the environment and the usage of fossil fuels. This paper highlights and discusses various technologies utilize in the conversion of biowastes to biofuel. These technologies include biochemical and thermochemical technologies. The thermochemical technologies are combustion, gasification, pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction. Biochemical technologies include enzymatic hydrolysis, anaerobic digestion and transesterification. The benefits of biofuel were also mentioned. Biogas, biodiesel, bioethanol and biohydrogen are good examples biofuels obtained from biowastes. They are renewable, have less pollutants and not expensive. The wastes are sewage, crop residue, wood, waste vegetable oil and plant materials
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