Proximate Analysis and Performance Evaluation of Selected Blends of Biomass Briquettes

Authors

  • Okonkwo Ugochukwu C Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka., Nigeria
  • Agu Chukwuemerie N. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka., Nigeria
  • Olaitan, Samuel. A. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka., Nigeria
  • Sinebe Jude E. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Delta State University, Oleh Campus, Nigeria

Keywords:

Proximate test, briquette blend, rice husk, maize cob, cooking fuel, coal, sawdust

Abstract

This study carried out the proximate and combustion tests of agricultural biomass made of coal/sawdust and rice husk/maize cob as cooking fuel alternatives. These two sets of briquettes were produced by blending various compositions of coal/sawdust and rice husk/maize cob using cold water starch as binder and calcium hydroxide as desulphurising agent. Proximate tests involving moisture content, ash content, calorific value, volatile matter and fixed carbon content of all samples of briquettes were determined. Performance evaluation of the briquettes as it concerns ignition time, burning time, burning rate and boiling time were done. The results of the proximate tests and briquettes characteristics when compared with others have overall relative improvement. For instance, S60C40 recorded 6.98% ash content, calorific value of 15620.80 kJ/kg, fixed carbon content of 15.68%, volatile matter of 54.28%. Also it took the briquettes 55.80sec to ignite and 28.28minutes to burn to ashes, and 19.32minutes to boil three liters of water. This exhibited an optimal combustion quality when compared with other composition of the briquettes produced.

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Published

2017-03-01

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 1 (2015): Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Section

Articles