Assessing the Combustion properties of Biomass Briquettes as an alternative to Charcoal.

Abstract

People have a basic need for energy to cook. Currently, in developing countries, this tends to be met by directly burning wood derived products in fires and stoves as their primary energy source. Therefore, with deforestation becoming increasingly prevalent in many regions of the developing world, there is an urgent need to improve combustion efficiency of stoves or to find alternative fuels. It is important that the energy source used is provided in a sustainable way and is burnt efficiently, and these are key themes that form the basis for this research. Biomass briquettes can be utilized as an alternative to firewood and charcoal to minimize indoor air pollution and safeguard the environment. The goal of this study was to comprehensively assess the combustion properties of Biomass fuel briquettes to be utilized as an alternative fuel to firewood and charcoal.

In this study, Round-shaped Biomass briquettes were developed from Banana peels, Charcoal dust and Cassava flour as the Binder, all these were mixed in varying proportions. The briquettes were developed under low pressure after carbonization. The tandardized water-boiling test was used to determine burning rate and time taken for the developed briquettes to boil 1 liter of water. The dry Oven test was carried out to ascertain the moisture content of the briquettes that was found to be 7% that is within the required standards of less than 15%. Drop strength tests and particle density determinations were performed to study the mechanical strength and integrity of the developed briquettes. Results for the drop strength tests were all above 90% indicating satisfactory characteristics. Particle densities ranged between 598 kg/m3 and 735 kg/m3 . Further qualitative analysis was done using the water resistance test to determine how sensitive the produced briquettes are to moisture change during storage.