Effect of species, particle size and compacting pressure on relaxed density and compressive strength of fuel briquettes
Effect of species, particle size and compacting pressure on relaxed density and compressive strength of fuel briquettes
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Date
0004-01-30
Authors
Mitchual, Stephen J
Frimpong-Mensah, Kwasi
Darkwa, Nicholas A
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Publisher
International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering
Abstract
Densification of biomass waste materials has provided a great boost to the utilization of wood and agricultural
waste for domestic and industrial fuel. However, the processes involved in the production of this fuel make it more
expensive than fossil fuel. This is because densification of wood waste into fuel briquettes is not simple. This paper
reports the results of research conducted to determine the effect of species, particle size and compacting pressure
on relaxed density and compressive strength in cleft of briquettes produced from sawdust of tropical hardwoods.
Briquettes were made using a laboratory hydraulic press. Compacting pressure was varied from 10 to 50 MPa at an
interval of 10 MPa. Species used were Triplochiton scleroxylon, Ceiba pentandra, Aningeria robusta, Terminalia superba,
Celtis mildbreadii and Piptadenia africana. The results indicate that species, compacting pressure and particle size of
sawdust at 5% level of significance have significant effect on the relaxed density and compressive strength in cleft
of briquettes produced. The multiple correlation coefficient (R) and adjusted R2 for the regression model between
relaxed density of briquettes, and species density, particle size and compacting pressure were 0.93 and 0.87,
respectively. Additionally, the multiple correlation coefficient and adjusted R2 for the regression model between
compressive strength of briquettes, and species density, particle size and compacting pressure were 0.83 and 0.69,
respectively. The regression models suggest that species density, particle size and compacting pressure are
good predictors of relaxed density and compressive strength in cleft of briquettes produced from sawdust of
tropical hardwoods.
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Citation
Mitchual, S. J., Frimpong-Mensah, K., & Darkwa, N. A. (2013). Effect of species, particle size and compacting pressure on relaxed density and compressive strength of fuel briquettes. International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering, 4, 1-6.