Production of briquettes from cotton stalks mixed with pine powder as an alternative source of energy.

Abstract

The study was undertaken to assess the properties of briquettes from a mixture of carbonized cotton stalks and pine powder. The cotton stalks were obtained chopped to sizes of 10cm, dried to 10% moisture content then carbonized to obtained smokeless char. The. pine pieces were grinded to obtain fine pine powder. The properties of pine powder and carbonized char were analyzed in relation to briquettes. The carbonized cotton stalks and pine powder where mixed in different proportions to make briquettes using cassava starch as a binder. Different levels of briquettes were produced. Briquette A (100% cotton stalks: 0%pine powder), Briquette B (95%cotton stalks to 5% pine powder); Briquette C (90% cotton stalks: 10%pine powder) and Briquette D (85%cotton stalks: 15% pine powder). The moisture content, shatter index and combustion related properties namely percentage volatile matter, percentage ash content, ignition time and. percentage fixed carbon content of the briquettes where determined. The test results showed that all briquettes had -moisture content between, 0% - 18% required range, the shatter index ranged from 93%-99.5% indicating that all the briquettes were resistant to vibrations; transportation and handling. The ash content for all the briquette samples was below 10% meaning the briquettes burn with minimum slagging effect. The percentage volatile matter increased with increase in pine powder concentration in the briquettes with the highest value being seen in sample D. The percentage fixed carbon content ranged between 54%-64% with sample A having the highest value of fixed carbon content. Since the aim of briquetting was to produce briquettes that would serve as good source of fuel and support quick combustion with reduced ignition time, the best briquette with short ignition time was produced when 85% cotton stalks were mixed with 15% pine powder. Also the use of 100% cotton stalks produced briquette properties in the required standard values for all the tests.