Thermal And Mechanical Properties Of Banana Rhizome - Charcoal And Sawdust - Charcoal Briquettes
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Date
2023-11
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Kampala International University
Abstract
Briquetting process is one of the basic ways to utilize the huge and abundant agricultural residues. This involves collecting agricultural wastes that are less in density, compressing them into consumable solid fuels into appropriate shapes. The excessive use of fossil fuels and natural gas has led to serious environmental issues and deforestation. This study focused on the production of briquettes from Sawdust and banana rhizomes with charcoal with varying concentrations of 0%, 20%,30%,40% and 50% and as well determination of the thermal and mechanical properties to ascertain its suitability for domestic and industrial application. Samples were collected, chopped, ground, pre- heated and sieved and mixed with clay binder and compressed by hand into fist size briquettes. All tests followed the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Tests performed were moisture content determination, volatile matter, water absorption, drop strength, bulky density, burning rates and calorific values. The results showed that moisture content ranged from 4.8%–6.7% and 5.1% - 7.2% for sawdust and banana rhizome based briquettes respectively; volatile matter was12% for sawdust and 16% for banana rhizome briquettes. The shattering index ranged from 52.7 % - 95% and 45% - 91% for sawdust and banana rhizome based briquettes respectively. Calorific value ranged from (20.3 – 28.8) MJ//Kg and (17.8 – 24.7) MJ/kg for banana and for sawdust based briquettes respectively. The results obtained indicate that all produced briquettes have potential for use at domestic and industrial applications. The production of briquettes from banana rhizome and sawdust are feasible. Some of the briquettes produced compared favorably with other briquettes produced from other biomass.