Comparative Analysis of the Combustion Characteristics of Pure and Composite Briquettes from Melon, Locust, and Groundnut Shells
Briquetting is an effective method for optimizing resource utilization, that entails the collection of combustible trash and its compression into a manageable form of solid fuel suitable for combustion, akin to wood or charcoal. Biomass briquettes provide a validated method for deriving energy from waste materials. The overconsumption of fossil fuels, firewood, and natural gas is resulting in significant environmental issues and deforestation.
This study examined the combustion characteristics of briquettes composed of melon, locust, and groundnut shells. Cassava starch served as the binder in a weight ratio of 1:50, and the flammability of the resultant composite briquette was assessed. The calorific value of the briquette was determined utilizing a bomb calorimeter.
The composite briquettes exhibited an average moisture content of 7%, and ash content of 5.5%. Exhibit the highest average volatile content at 62%, a density of 680 kg/m3. The highest average fixed carbon content and average calorific values are 18% and 21000 kcal/kg, respectively. The results indicated that the produced briquette had favorable combustion qualities, rendering them appropriate for home applications and small-scale industries, in comparison to existing literature.
Keywords: Comparative Analysis; Combustion Properties; Composite Briquettes; Melon Shell, Locust Shell, and Groundnut Shell
