Comparing the effect of binder on the quality of bagasse briquettes

Abstract

Briquettes made from biomass, such as sugarcane bagasse, a by-product of sugarcane mills, is a renewable energy source. This research aimed at the production and characterisation of bagasse briquettes. The major raw material, bagasse, underwent drying, size reduction, sieving, addition of molasses and clay (binder), densification using a manual press and finally drying of the briquettes. Physical and chemical parameters investigated include density, shatter resistance, calorific value, moisture content, volatile matter, ash content and fixed carbon. The results show calorific value of bagasse was 17.29MJ/kg, cowdung-binder briquettes was 15.92MJ/kg, molasses-binder briquettes was 16.49MJ/kg. The analysis revealed a composition of 47.49% carbon, 5.133% hydrogen, 1.557% nitrogen and 45.446% oxygen. Therefore bagasse has a high calorific value and can be used for briquetting to replace fossil fuels and firewood. In addition, due to its availability, utilizing it as a fuel source has an economic advantage.