Power Generation with Biomass from Coffee: A Literature Review, Current Trend and Scope for Future Research

¹ Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras (UNAH), Ingeniena Mecanica, Honduras
² Universidad de Sevilla, Doctorado GENI, Sevilla, Spain
³ Universidad Tecnologica Centroamericana (UNITEC), Facultad de Postgrado, Honduras

^a josepth.rivera@unah.hn
^b cortega@unah.edu.hn
^c cortega@us.es
^d cortegaj@unitec.edu

Abstract

This paper takes on the current R&D on the use of biomass from coffee for electric power. This comprehensive literature review aims to synthesize, organize and structure on topics related to the use of solid waste, such as coffee pulp and husk for boilers for power plants. Initial available literature shows new technologies being implemented to transform and improve processes to obtain and generate this type of renewable energy. Using a systematic review, such coffee solid waste is presented as a bioenergy alternative to the sustainability of coffee processing plants. The results show the strengths and weaknesses of its use for energy, which may have significant impact on coffee producing countries, as it is one of the most booming industries of the countries from the equatorial tropics. Despite a wide range of applications of such coffee waste, we have identified few studies on the application of pyrolysis from such biomass power generation. This first review of literature on the subject has both practical implications about the current trend of coffee biomass as a means for generating energy, as well as it can be a basis for the scope for future research on the implementation and sustainability in coffee producing regions.