Optimization of fuel briquette made from bi-composite biomass for domestic heating applications
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Date
2023-08-21
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
This study aimed at optimizing the fuel briquettes produced from flamboyant pod (FBP), and corn
cob (CC) mixed with cassava starch (SB) as a binder using custom design methodology (CDM).
The compressive strength, ash yield, and emission analysis of the briquettes produced were
determined. The combustion efficiency parameters as well as CO, NO2, PM2.5, and PM10 of the
emissions were compared to optimal fuel briquettes and charcoal fuel. The optimal combination
of compressive strength and ash yield was obtained for the briquette fuel blend formulated from
30 wt.% flamboyant pod, 51 wt.% corn cob and 17 wt.% starch. While the water boiling time of
the fuel increased by about 35–48% compared to charcoal fuel, the ignition time and the specific
fuel consumption rate decreased by ~34% and 16%, respectively. Furthermore, the major air
pollutants were reduced from 222 to 196 ppm for CO, 3.63–2.34 ppm for NO2, and 0.21–0.09
ppm for PM 2.5. These properties of the briquette align with charcoal, thus supporting the use of
flamboyant-corcob-starch (FBCS) briquettes as a supplementary source of energy to charcoal.