Bio-Ethanol Production from Sweet Sorghum Stalks Grown in Varied Agro-Ecological Zones in Africa

Cooperating countries: Kenya, Uganda,  Ethiopia, Austria

Coordinating institution: Maseno University, Oscar Kambona Ouma, kaudo2015@gmail.com

Partner institutions: Maseno University (Kenya), Nkumba University (Uganda), Debre Markos University (Ethiopia), IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems (Austria)

Project duration: 1 April 2022 - 31 March 2024

Abstract:
This study aims to produce bio-ethanol from sweet sorghum stalk that is grown in different parts of Africa. The work will establish the optimum agronomic conditions for varieties of sweet sorghum in different agro-ecological zones (AEZ) in Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda). It will achieve this by identifying the different cultivars grown in the selected countries (agro ecological zones); characterize the Soil Crop Atmospheric parameters (for example soil: fertility, pH, physical properties-texture among others) suitable for production in each AEZ. Based on this, promising cultivars will be grown in the (AEZ) identified. The stalks from the best cultivar will be subjected to chemical processes, including the brix levels determinations, in order to determine the optimum conditions for bio-ethanol production at laboratory scale. The best sweet sorghum cultivar in terms of brix levels will be selected for bulk production of planting materials. Quality testing and characterization of the bio-ethanol will be done while considering chemical composition, Calorific value, alcohol content, moisture content, ash content, flash point, specific gravity, sulfur content and total solid content in order to compare it with existing cooking fuels. The study findings will be of importance considering that the bio-ethanol produced at the laboratory scale and best sweet sorghum cultivars can be up scaled to meet not only the food needs (grains) of most rural African communities but their energy and industrial needs (stalks) as well.