An Investigation of Binders for the Production of Biomass Briquettes from Sawdust and Cow Dung Admixture

Gebreyohannes Gebrehiwot Tesfay; Desbelom Welegebrial; Yemane Gebremedihn; Tsgehiwet Gebremichal

Abstract

This study explored an investigation on the effect of binders for the production of biomass briquette from saw dust and cow dung admixture for domestic cooking applications. The materials used to investigate the study were sawdust and cow dung was treated, and the sawdust was grind and screened using sieve mesh size into particle size of 2mm. The biomass briquettes were produced by mixing sawdust and cow dung within the mixing ratios of 10:90, 20:80, 30:70, 40:60, 50:50, 60:40, 70:10, 80:10 and 90:10 (wt/wt%) respectively from a 250gm total weight with the amount of binders (30%). An investigation too was conducted to see the effect of binders (Molasses, Waste Paper and Potato Starch) on this study. The physical and combustion charatcterizatyion (density, porosity index, shatter resistance, volatile matter, ash content, fixed carbon, calorific value and rate of buring) of the product were studies. In additon, the chemical characterizartion (Carbon, Hydrogen, Sulphur, Nitrogen and Oxygen) was studied for the optimum biomass briquettes. The optimum mixing ratio of materilas was with the weight composition of 60:40 (wt/wt%) has overall best characteristics. Furthermore, the maximum results for Molasses, Waste Paper and Potato Starch used as a binder were 0.467, 0.486, 0.497gm/cm3 Density, 40.62, 40.87, 40.78% Porosity Index, 98.75, 98.84, 98.93% Shatter Resistance, 23.82, 23.62, 23.76% Volatile Matter, 4.67, 4.73, 4.86% Ash Content, 88.90, 85.54, 87.68% Fixed Carbon, 4142.20, 4138.12, 4140.54kcal/kg Calorific Value and 1.084, 1.052, 1.062gm/minute Rate of Buring respectively was obtained.

Abstract

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