Determination of physio-thermal properties of briquettes made from saw dust, sugarcane bagasse and rice husk
This study was specifically conducted to determine the physical and thermal properties of briquettes made from saw dust, sugarcane bagasse and rice husk and binding materials (cassava starch and cow dung). The idea of the study emanates from the urge to solve the environmental challenges of two neighbouring rural communities where saw dust, rice husk and sugarcane bagasse have become a menace. The briquettes used in the study of physio-thermal properties were made of sawdust as biomass with cow dung as binding material, rice husk and sugarcane bagasse as biomass materials both with cassava starch as binding material in varying ratios with the aid of a screw-press briquetting machine. Properties of the briquettes studied include moisture content, density, shatter resistance, burning rate, water boiling time test and fuel consumption rate. The results obtained showed that sugarcane bagasse briquettes contain more moisture than the other produced briquettes with values ranged between 13.63 and 14.94%. This implies that briquettes produced from sugarcane bagasse with cassava starch binders would take longer time to dry and combust than the other briquettes. It was also observed that briquettes from sugarcane bagasse have greater shatter resistance of 100% while briquettes from rice husk have less shatter resistance of 55.56 - 83.33%. Similarly, sugarcane bagasse briquettes have highest density value of 0.0004236 kg/cm3; while rice husk has the lowest density value of 0.000190 kg/cm3. The study was able to produce briquettes that provided cheap and safe energy for the two communities, thus resolving the environmental and health challenges posed by the not easily disposed abundant of waste biomass in the locality.
Keywords: Biomass, Briquettes, Burning Rate, Physical Properties, Thermal Properties
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