Characteristics of Charcoal Briquettes from Agricultural Waste with Compaction Pressure and Particle Size Variation as Alternative Fuel

Abstract

Bio charcoal briquettes is one of the fuel that comes from biomass. Biomass is one of the sources of renewable energy. The biomass was used in this study is the maize cob agricultural waste which is currently not widely used by farmers. This study aims to know  the characteristics of bio charcoal briquettes from maize cob with compaction pressured (22.426 kg/cm² and 44.80 kg/cm²) and particle size variation (40, 50, and 60) mesh. Analysis  the characteristics of briquettes includes: density, moisture content, ash content, volatile matter, fixed carbon, heating value, ignition time and flame rate. The process of making briquettes was making charcoal from maize cob waste, then it was crushed manually to produced charcoal particles. The composition of briquette mixture consisting of 60% charcoal particles, 10% sago flour and hot water as much as 30% of the total weight of charcoal briquettes. The compaction tools using hydraulic jack to pressure the briquette. The proximate analysis is a standardized analysis procedure that attempts to quantify some characteristics of biomass briquettes which affect its combustion characteristics. The analysis done with the help of a bomb calorimeter is explained and a brief description of what each of these components is, how each one is found in the biomass briquettes and their significance in the burning of the briquettes is given. The variation of pressured and particle size of briquettes give different effects on the characteristic of briquettes burning quality.