Fruit processing residues as an alternative fuel for drying in Northern Thailand

In this study, the fuel potential of residues from local fruit processing facilities in Northern Thailand was assessed. Facilities were surveyed to determine current processing and waste disposal strategies. In facilities handling large amounts of these fruits particularly, residues are currently disposed of in municipal dumps. Fresh processing refuse such as peels and seeds was sampled and analyzed for fuel properties. The results of proximate analysis showed mean moisture content of wastes were 35–75% wb with ash contents of about 2.2–7.1 wt.% db and high volatile matter ranging 67–73 wt.% db. Higher heating values ranged between 18.3 and 19.3 MJ kg−1. Therefore, wastes showed good fuel potential, but high moisture (>60% wb) and nitrogen (>0.6 wt.% db) contents require attention when considering potential fuel applications.