ABSTRACT
Briquettes are bio-fuel substitute to firewood and charcoal. Briquetting involves the densification of loose granular material into compact and easily transportable fuel. The increasing population and the rise of living standards, contribute to the increase in demand for energy in the world. However, most of the energy requirements of developing countries are still supplied by fossil-based fuel. Agro residues/waste (such as Maize husk) have been identified as a veritable alternative to wood in briquette production. Hence, this study was designed to determine the bio-fuel characteristics of briquette produced from maize husk using fabricated briquetting machine with a view to elucidate its energy properties. Briquettes were produced from maize husk using 100g, 150g, 200g, 250g and 300g starch weight at 5 replicates. The physical and combustion characteristics of the produced briquettes were determined following standard procedure. Data were analysed using ANOVA in CRD at 5% probability level. The produced density ranges from 23.00±0.01 (300g) to 35.80±0.04 (100g). The highest volatile matter (59.73%) and least ash content (5.33%) were obtained for briquettes produced with 100g binder weight. In the same vein, highest percentage fixed carbon (56.32±1.32%) and heating value (38.83±1.93 kcal/kg) were obtained for 100g starch weight briquettes. This implied that briquettes with 100g binder weight supported combustion more than others. Economically, this type is preferred as it will not require much binder to produce.
References
- Akowuah, J. O., Kemausuor, F., and Mitchual, S. J. (2012). Physico-chemical characteristics and market potential of sawdust charcoal briquette. International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering, 3(20), 1-6.
- Aries, R., and Romallosa, D. (2017). Quality analyses of biomass briquettes produced using a jack-driven briquetting machine. International Journal of Applied Science and Technology, 7(1), 8-16.
- ASTM, D4442 (1992). Direct Moisture content Measurement of wood and wood-base materials, Annual Book of ASTM standards. Gaseous Fuels, Coal and Coke, D3173-87, 5(5), 310-312
- ASTM, E 872 (1982). Volatile matter in the analysis of particulate wood fuels, Annual Book of ASTM standards. Gaseous Fuels, Coal and Coke 1(8), 131-156
- ASTM, E 1755 (1995). Fixed carbon in biomass, Annual Book of ASTM standards. Gaseous Fuels, Coal and Coke, 8(2), 211-230
- ASTM E711-87 (2012). Standard test method for gross calorific value of refuse-derived fuel by the bomb calorimeter. Gaseous Fuels, Coal and Coke, 13(6), 315-331
- ASTM D 1102 – 84 (2007). Test method for ash in wood. 2008 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Gaseous Fuels, Coal and Coke, 10(7), 153-154.
- Danon G. (1998). Fuel characteristic of briquette from wood waste and recycled paper biomass. Bulletin 17(4), 113
- Emerhi, E. (2011). Physical and combustion properties of briquettes produced from sawdust of three hardwood species and different organic binders. Advances in Applied Science Research, 2(6), 236-246.
- Fasua O.A (200): Combustion related properties of tropical trees. Green energy investment And News, 2010. Pros and Con-Updated Article with New Information pg 15-16
- Fuwape, J.A. (1998): Combustion characteristics of wood briquette produced from Sawdust. National Conference of Nigeria Society of Agricultural Engineering pp 1-11, 8th-11th September, 1998
- Ige Ayodeji, R., Moki Elinge, C., Gusau Hassan, L., Abimbola Adegoke, I., & Harrison, O. (2018). Effect of binder on physico-chemical properties of fuel briquettes produced from watermelon peels. Aascit Journal of Energy, 5(2), 23-27.
- Ikelle, I. I., Nworu, J. S., Nworie, F. S., Jedidiah, J., Ogbuagu, J., & Nwabueze, I. E. (2020). Thermal analyses of briquette fuels produced from coal dust and groundnut husk. Acta Chemica Malaysia, 4(1), 24-27.
- Kristofferson, L. A. & Bokalders, V. P. (1987). Renewable energy technologies: Their applications in developing countries. Agricultural Systems, 25(4), 325-327.
- Lu, Q.; Zhang, Z.-F.; Dong, C.-Q and Zhu, X.-F. (2010). Catalytic upgrading of biomass fast pyrolysis vapors with nano metal oxides: An analytical Py-GC/MS study. Energies 3, 1805–1820.
- Mohan, D.; Pittman, C.U., Jr. and Steele, P.H. (2006). Pyrolysis of wood/biomass for bio-oil: A critical review. Energy Fuels 20, 848–889.
- Praveena, U., Satya, M., Ramya, K., & Sarveswara, R. S. (2014). Studies on development of fuel briquettes using biodegradable waste materials. Journal of Bioprocessing and Chemical Engineering, 2(1), 1-10.
- Sengar S.H, Mohod, A.G; Khandetod Y.P; Patil S.S and Chendake A.D (2012). Performance of Briquetting Machine for Briquette fuel. International Journal of Energy Engineering. 2(1): 28-34
- Sisay, F., Fikremariam, H., Degnechew, G., Gemechu, Y., Amsalu, T., Tegene, T. and Yihun, B. (2020). Production and characterization of charcoal briquette from oxytenantheraabyssinica. Arundinaria Alpina, Acacia melifera and Prosopis Juliflora Journal of Scientific and Innovative Research 2020, 9(1), 16-21
- Sotunade O.A. Oluyege and Abah G.B (2010): physical and combustion properties of briquette of sawdust from Azadiratha indica, Journal of Forestry Research 21(1): 377-381
Download all article in PDF