Conversion of Imperata cylindrica, plastic face mask and mango peels to solid fuel briquette

Abstract

The demand for briquette is rising with the increasing of urbanization. Briquettes is mainly used as fuel and heating component. In addition, briquette is used in various industries for over the years. In this study, Imperata cylindrica and mango peels along with face mask were anticipated to boost the properties of the solid fuel briquette. Proximate analysis (moisture content, ash content, volatile matter and fixed carbon) and ultimate analysis (CHNS and calorific value) conducted for the briquette samples before and after the carbonisation process. The characteristics and properties of face mask, mango peels, and Imperata cylindrica are significant for the contribution of the optimal ratio of solid fuel briquettes made from these combination materials. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that briquettes made from Imperata cylindrica: mango peel produce the best results. The findings indicate that the briquette has low moisture content, 3.0%, high volatile matter, 37%, low ash content, 5.7%, and high fixed carbon, 54.8%. The analysis of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulphur (CHNS) found that carbon content is 68.8%. The contents of hydrogen, sulphur, and nitrogen were 4.5%, 0.3%, and 0.96%, respectively. The calorific value obtained was 24.2 MJ kg-1.