Karniliyus Emmanuel Daring, Mary Haruna Gukut, Jacob Gungsat Nangbes, Morah Festus Ejiofor and Sase Terver John
In this work, waste agricultural biomass (sugarcane bagasse) was carbonized. Twelve different briquette samples were produced at varying pressures using locally sourced Locust Beans (Parkiabiglobosa) flour as binder at pressures of 40KN and 50KN, respectively. Test was carried out for the charcoal briquettes. The fixed carbon content of the briquette grades is 16.15% and 17.03% respectively. Similarly, the ash content for the briquette grades is 3.00% and 3.05% respectively. The bulk density is 1.90g/cm3and 2.00g/cm3 respectively and the moisture content is 11.50% and 10.80% respectively. The comparison of the briquette of sugarcane bagasse was done with the local firewood. It was found that firewood boiled water at 25 min and the briquettes boiled water at 18minutes and 19minutes respectively.The briquettes can compete with other biomass particularly firewood. The results also showed that the heating values ware 32624.80Kcal/g and 32464.0 Kcal/g at 40KN and 50KN respectively. The differences in the heat evolved by the fuels could be attributed to the differences in the pressures and hence densities applied during production. The fuels proved to be at par with firewood and can reduce deforestation while keeping the environment clean.
Biomass, Briquettes, pressure, binders.