India and Brazil are leading the global cashew export market, with a combined 91% share. Despite the profitability of cashew nuts, a significant portion of the cashew—the shell—remains underutilized, often considered waste in the processing industry. This blog delves into how Steamax is revolutionizing the use of cashew byproducts, specifically Cashew Deoiled Cake (DOC) and Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL), by transforming them into a cleaner, more efficient biomass fuel known as “Astillas.”

The Hidden Potential Inside Cashew Shells:

The cashew shell, which comprises 67.5% of the whole cashew, undergoes processing to extract CNSL and DOC. The breakdown of these byproducts is as follows:

• Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL): A dark, viscous liquid comprising 15-25% of the shell. CNSL contains 70% anacardic acid, 18% cardol, and 5% cardanol, used in high-tech materials like epoxy resins and varnishes.
• Cashew Deoiled Cake (DOC): The residue left after CNSL extraction.

While these byproducts have high calorific values—5600 Kcal/Kg for the shell, 8000 Kcal/Kg for CNSL, and 4500 Kcal/Kg for DOC—their direct use as industrial fuel poses significant challenges.

Challenges of Using Cashew Byproducts as Fuel:

Despite their high energy content, using cashew shell byproducts as fuel is problematic for several reasons:

• High Carbon Content: Burning cashew shells results in black smoke due to the high carbon content.
• Phenol Content: Phenols in these byproducts can damage furnace refractory linings.
• Anacardic Acid: Direct combustion of DOC and CNSL releases toxic fumes and compromises system safety.
• Handling Difficulties: CNSL’s acidic nature makes DOC challenging, leading to skin irritation and peeling among workers.

Steamax’s Innovative Solution: “Astillas”

Understanding the drawbacks of using cashew byproducts as fuel, Steamax has developed “Astillas,” a cleaner and safer biomass fuel. Here’s how Astillas addresses the issues:

• Reduced CNSL Content: Astillas has a CNSL oil content of less than 5%, compared to the 10-20% found in untreated DOC. This reduction significantly lowers carbon content, eliminating black smoke emissions.
• High Calorific Value: With a calorific value exceeding 4200 Kcal/Kg, Astillas provides efficient combustion while maintaining low ash (<2%) and moisture content (<10%).
• Environmental Benefits: Switching to Astillas reduces CO2 emissions compared to traditional fuels like wood logs, coal, petcoke, and diesel.
• Ease of Handling: Astillas comes in reusable bags designed for longer life and easy storage, ensuring the fuel is user-friendly and environmentally responsible.

Steamax’s “Astillas” offers an innovative solution to the challenges of using cashew byproducts as fuel. By transforming these byproducts into a cleaner, more efficient fuel, industries can significantly reduce their environmental impact while benefiting from cost-effective energy solutions. 
Are you interested in learning more about Astillas? Contact us today at +91-9315124803.