Assessment of energy properties of briquettes from lantana camara and traditional charcoal

Abstract

This study aimed at comparing the energy properties of briquettes from Lantana camara and charcoal fuel. The primary objective of this research was to evaluate whether these briquettes could provide a better alternative fuel to traditional charcoal. Hence briquettes were made and energy properties such as ignition time, burn out time, burn out rate and ash content were analyzed for both briquettes and traditional charcoal. The findings revealed a significant difference in the energy properties of briquettes and charcoal whereby briquettes had a better burn out time and burn out rate than charcoal. However, charcoal was easy to light (possessed shorter ignition time) and produced less ash content than briquettes. Hence, basing on the data obtained and analyzed, both possess constraints and advantages. This study calls for a deep analysis into other energy properties such as calorific value and try out briquette making using different binders and constituents to draw accurate conclusions. By transforming an ecological threat into a valuable resource, this research contributes to both environmental conservation efforts and the quest for sustainable energy solutions.