Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Adeleke University, P.M.B. 250, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria.

2 Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, P.M.B. 13, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.

3 Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Obafemi Awolowo University, P.M.B. 13, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.

4 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Adeleke University, P.M.B. 250, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria.

5 Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Osun State University, P.M.B. 4494, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Briquettes from agro-residues have been promoted as a better alternative to firewood and charcoals for heating and cooking in the rural communities. In this light, a study was carried out to investigate the effect of pretreatment methods on physical properties and heating values of briquettes produced from corncob. To accomplish this work, an experiment was designed as a 2 × 3 × 3 × 3 completely randomized with three replicates. The parameters are pretreatment methods (carbonized and uncarbonized), binder types (cassava, corn, and gelatin), binder concentrations (10, 20, 30 %), and compacting pressures (50, 100, and 150 kPa). A charcoal kiln was fabricated to obtain the pretreatment through pyrolysis and a punch and die was also fabricated to facilitate briquette densification. The physical properties tested were limited to moisture content (MC), density and compressive strength and were determined using a conventional method. The heating value of the briquettes produced was determined using bomb calorimeter. The results demonstrated that average
moisture content ranged between 5.29-6.58 % and 12.75-13.72 %, mean relaxed density varied from 813-925
kgm-3 and 963-1166 kgm-3, compressive strength ranged between 2.27-5.07 MPa and 5.97-10.12 MPa, and
heating value ranged between 28.85-32.36 MJkg-1 and 27.58-28.80 MJkg-1 for carbonized and uncarbonized
briquettes, respectively. Briquettes produced from carbonized corncob had a better moisture content and heating value, while briquettes produced from uncarbonized corncob had higher density and compressive strength. The study shows that pretreatment methods under different binder types and concentrations and the compacting pressure significantly affected the briquettes physical properties and heating values. Therefore, this technology can be successfully applied in rural off-grid areas by the government and other stakeholders in the energy sector as part of renewable energy technologies. 

Keywords

Main Subjects

  1. Wilaipon, P., "Physical characteristics of maize cob briquettes under moderate die pressure", American Journal of Applied Science, Vol. 4, No. 12, (2007), 995-998. (https://thescipub.com/pdf/ajassp.2007.995.998.pdf).
  2. Oyewusi, T.F., Aransiola, E.F., Oyinlola, T.A. and Adesigbin, J.A., "Comparative study of the calorific values and gas emissions of briquettes produced from carbonized and uncarbonized process of corncob", Journal of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Vol. 8, No. 2, (2018), 20-36. (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341180083_comparative_study_of_the_calorific_values_and_gas_emissions_of_briquettes_produced_from_carbonized_and_uncarbonized_process_of_corncob).
  3. Aransiola, E.F., Oyewusi, T.F., Osunbitan, J.A. and Ogunjimi, L.A.O., "Effect of binders and pressures on physical properties of briquettes from carbonized corncob", Energy Reports, Vol. 5, (2019), 909-918. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2019.07.011).
  4. Grainger, L. and Gibson, J., Coal utilization: Technology, economics and policy, Graham and Trotman Limited, (1981), 179-181. (https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-94-011-7352-0).
  5. Eriksson, S. and Prior, M., The briquetting of agricultural wastes for fuel, FAO Energy and Environment Paper 11, (1990), 121-124. (http://www.fao.org/docrep/t0275e/t0275e00.htm).
  6. ASAE S269.4, Cubes, pellets and crumbles – Definitions and methods for determining density, durability and moisture content, American Society of Agricultural Engineers, (2003), 567-569. (https://standards.globalspec.com/std/17556/s269-4).
  7. Pallavi, H.V., Srikantaswamy, S., Kiran, B.M., Vyshnavi, D.R. and Ashwin, C.A., "Briquetting agricultural waste as an energy source", Journal of Environmental Science, Computer Science and Engineering and Technology, Vol. 2, No. 1, (2013), 160-172. (https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Briquetting-agricultural-waste-as-an-energy-source-Pallavi-Srikantaswamy/b95a39d5be398bc8c4ffe3a7f23c21d16a7844e3?sort=relevance&pdf=true).
  8. ASAE S424.1, Method of determining and expressing particles size of chopped forage materials by screening, American Society of Agricultural Engineers, (2003), 567-569. (https://elibrary.asabe.org/abstract.asp?aid=23583&t=3&dabs=Y&redir=&redirType=).
  9. Oladeji, J.T. and Enweremadu, C.C., "The effects of some processing parameters on physical and combustion characteristics of corncob briquettes", International Journal of Energy Engineering, Vol. 2, No. 1, (2012), 22-27. (https://doi.org/10.5923/j.ijee.20120201.04).
  10. ASTM D1037-93., Standard test methods of evaluating the properties of wood-based fibre and particle panel material, American Society of Testing and Materials, (2012), 23-29. (https://standards.globalspec.com/std/3846840/astm%20D1037-12).
  11. ASTM E711–87, Test method for gross calorific value of refine derived fuel by the bomb calorimeter, American Society of Testing and Materials, (1992), 265-271. (https://ia600603.us.archive.org/6/items/gov.law.astm.e711.1987/astm.e711.1987.pdf)
  12. Akowuah, J., Kemausuor, F. and Mitchual, J.S., "Physio-chemical characteristics and market potential of sawdust charcoal briquettes", International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Vol. 3, No. 20, (2012), 1-6. (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/2251-6832-3-20).
  13. Oyewusi, T.F., Aransiola, E.F., Olaleye, T.E., Osunbitan, J.A. and Ogunjimi, L.A.O., "A comparative study on the physical properties of briquettes from carbonized and uncarbonized corncobs", Proceedings of the 7th Obafemi Awolowo University, Faculty of Technology Conference, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, (2019), 127-135. (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342523225_a_comparative_study_on_the_physical_properties_of_briquettes_produced_from_carbonized_and_uncarbonized_corncob_material).
  14. Mani, S., Tabil, L.G. and Sokhansanj, S., "Specific energy requirement for compacting corn stover", Bioresource Technology, Vol. 97, No. 12, (2006), 1420-1426. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2005.06.019).
  15. Gilbert, P., Ryu, C., Sharif, V. and Switchenbank, J., "Effect of processing parameters on pelletization of herbaceous crops", Fuel, Vol. 88, No. 8, (2009), 1491-1497. (https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FUEL.2009.03.015).
  16. Sotannde, O., Oluyege, G., and Abah, B., "Physical and combustion properties of briquettes from sawdust of azadirachtaindica", Journal of Forestry Research, Vol. 21, (2010), 63-67. (https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-010-0010-6).
  17. David, K.C., Daudi, M.N. and Jason, M.G., "Effect of binder types and amount on physical and combustion characteristics", International Journal of Engineering Research Science, and Technology, Vol. 2, No. 1, (2013), 12-20. (https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/EFFECT-OF-BINDER-TYPES-AND-AMOUNT-ON-PHYSICAL-AND-Chirchir-Nyaanga/df9578ad09bfb93bdc5ed91f2bce9634b3cc14d4).
  18. Zubairu, A. and Sadiq, A., "Production and characterization of briquette charcoal by carbonization of agro-waste", Energy and Power; Vol. 4, No. 2, (2014), 41-47. (https://doi.org/10.5923/j.ep.20140402.03).
  19. Wakchaure, G.C. and Mani, I., "Thermal and storage characteristics of biomass briquettes with organic binders", Journal of Agricultural Engineering, Vol. 48, No. 4, (2011), 24-30. (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235946165_Thermal_and_Storage_Characteristics_of_Biomass_Briquettes_with_Organic_Binders).
  20. Food and Agricultural Organization, FAO, "Industrial Charcoal Production, TCP/CRO/3101 (A) Development of a sustainable charcoal industry, Zagreb, Croatia", (2021). (https://pdfcoffee.com/faoindustrial-charcoal-production-pdf-free.html), (Accessed: 19 December 2021).