Optimization of Composition of Selected Biomass for Briquette Production

Abstract

In this study, investigations were carried out on the energy evaluation, performance analysis and optimization of briquettes produced from biomass wastes (rice-husk and sawdust) and their composites using starch and clay as binders. The proximate compositions of the briquettes were determined following ASTM analytical methods. The moisture content of rice husk and sawdust before briquettes was 20wt.% and 15wt.% respectively. The briquettes produced from bio-waste material of homogeneous particle sizes of 0.5mm and two binders of a percentage of 90:10 which were sun-dried, prepared and moisturized, were reduced to 5wt.% and compressed for the production of briquettes. The energy evaluation of the briquettes was performed using an oxygen bomb calorimeter and the performance test of the briquettes was carried out. Design Expert Central Composite Design Tool was used in the design and Response surface methodology was used to optimize the energy values of rice-husk/sawdust composite briquettes with clay and starch as binders, after which composite briquette made of mahogany sawdust/rice-husk were produced using the optimum condition values of 15% binder starch, 28% rice-husk and 9Mpa compaction pressure. The results showed that composite briquettes of mahogany sawdust and rice-husk produced with starch had a maximum energy value of 5.69kcal/g, while those made with clay had a minimum energy value of 3.35kcal/g. However, the experimental result was less than the predicted optimum value of 2%. This shows that composite briquette made from mahogany sawdust/rice-husk has better energy efficiency than other briquettes considered and it has been observed that starch is a better bonding material than clay. Briquetting technology has great potential to transform waste biomass in affordable, effective and environmentally safe, high-quality solid fuel for households and industry use.

Enhancing the Properties of Water Hyacinth Biomass Briquettes by Mercerization Process

“…Evaluation of the calorific value content and ash content suggests that, the higher the briquettes ash content, the lower its calorific value. The results were in compliance with the reports of 7.68% of charcoal briquettes by Pinate and Dangphonthong, [29] and 6.65% of charcoal briquettes from Acacia melifera by Chukwuneke et al, [30]. Also, according to Channey, [12], when fuels with high ash content are burnt in cooking stoves, the flow of clean air into the cooking stove will be adversely affected if the residual ash is not frequently removed.…”

Characterization Of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch and Coconut Shell for The Production of Fuel Briquettes

“…The briquette blends produced had a calorific value in the range of 26.53 to 28.11 MJ/kg, compressive strength in the range of 1.87 to 2.87 N/mm2, burning rate of 0.805 to 1.592 g/min and density of 748.11 to 1034.62 kg/m3. These are better than the results obtained by [19], [20] and [21]. These briquette performances shows that the carbonization of biomass prior to densification improves the performance of the briquettes with regards to calorific value, compressive strength, burning rate and density as opposed to direct briquetting of raw biomass with low heating value, high burning rate and low density.…”

Optimization of Briquettes Produced From Carbonized Coconut Shell and Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Blends Using Response Surface Methodology

“…Thus, the developed models are adequate enough to predict the calorific value, burn rate, density and compressive strength respectively. These proof to be better than result gotten by Chukwuneke et al (2020), Noor (2017), andAgomuo et al (2019). Briquetting of carbonized agricultural waste will go a long way in solving domestic cooking energy requirement and mitigate deforestation due to energy needs in developing and underdeveloped countries.…”