Performance Evaluation of the Physical and Combustion Properties of Briquettes Produced from Agro-Wastes and Wood Residues

Abstract

This study investigated the physical and combustion properties of briquettes produced from agricultural wastes (groundnut shells and corn cobs), wood residues (Anogeissus leiocarpus), and mixture of the particles at 15%, 20%, and 25% starch levels (binder). A 6 × 3 factorial experiments in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was adopted for the study. The briquettes produced were analyzed for density, volatile matter, ash content, fixed carbon, and specific heat of combustion. The result revealed that the density ranged from 0.44 g/cm3 to 0.53 g/cm3, while briquettes produced from groundnut shells had the highest (0.53 g/cm3) significant mean density. Mean volatile matter and ash content of the briquettes ranged from 24.35% to 34.95% and 3.37% to 4.91%. A. leiocarpus and corn cobs particles had the lowest and highest ash content, respectively. The briquette fixed carbon and specific heat of combustion ranged from 61.68% to 68.97% and 7362 kcal/kg to 8222 kcal/kg, respectively. Briquette produced from A. leiocarpus particles had the highest specific heat of combustion. In general, briquettes produced from A. leiocarpus particles and mixture of groundnut shell and A. leiocarpus particles at 25% starch level had better quality in terms of density and combustion properties and thus are suitable as an environmentally friendly alternative energy source.

Study on the Possibilities of Natural Use of Ash Granulate Obtained from the Combustion of Pellets from Plant Biomass

“…This is within 0.4-1.8% for pure wood, 6.3-10.4% for wood bark, 2.4-7.7% for energy crops, 6.9-9.2% for agricultural biomass and 1.1-9.2% for waste from the production of plant-based food [12]. Falemara et al [13] obtained an amount of ash between 3.4-4.9% for briquette from peanut shells, maize cobs and Anogeissus leiocarpus. James et al [6] found that the typical amount of ash produced was 1.2% for pine wood, 1.0% for willow wood, 0.8% for birch wood, 12.9% for Miscanthus, which was much greater, 9.3% for rice pellets, 16.3% for rice husks and 5-10% for agricultural crop materials.…”

“…The amount of ash produced from biomass was higher than noted in wood, but lower in comparison to agricultural crops. This situation can be related to the quality and origin of the material [13,42]. In the experiment the pellet made of wood without the bark and straw material was used.…”

Biomass Briquettes as an Alternative Fuel: A Comprehensive Review

“…The authors reported a higher briquette density with an increase in applied pressure and also a higher heating value as the particle size increased. Falemara et al [20] experimentally studied briquettes prepared from groundnut shell, corn cobs, and wood residues with starch as the binder. They used different mixture strengths of raw materials for preparing the briquettes.…”

The Use of Plant Biomass Pellets for Energy Production by Combustion in Dedicated Furnaces

“…There are also descriptions of problems encountered while using biomass heating furnaces, especially such as disturbances in the use of furnaces due to corrosion of mechanisms, formation of slags that are difficult to remove, and disturbances of combustion control [3,6,[19][20][21][22][23]. One of the reasons for the abovementioned problems is the presence of aggressive chemical compounds formed during the combustion of biomass and other fuels, as well as those that are not environmentally neutral.…”

“…According to Febrero et al [29], even a low Cl content in biomass can lead to serious furnace damage. In the cited standards, there are also limits on the N and S content, i.e., elements leaving the furnace as N 2 , acid anhydrides, NO x , and SO 2 (according to different indications, <0.3% for N and <0.04-0.08% (0.5)% for S) [19]. According to Obernberger [28], furnace damage occurs when the content of S in the fuel is >0.2%.…”