Effects of operating variables on durability of fuel briquettes from rice husks and corn cobs

Published Date
May 2015, Vol.133:137–145, doi:10.1016/j.fuproc.2015.01.022

Author 

Rukayya I. Muazu ^,

Julia A. Stegemann 

• Centre for Resource Efficiency & the Environment, Department of Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering, University College London, United Kingdom

Received 10 October 2014. Revised 18 January 2015. Accepted 20 January 2015. Available online 5 February 2015.

Highlights

• •
  Briquetting of agricultural wastes can be used to increase fuel energy density.
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  Durable briquettes were made with blends of rice husks and corn cobs.
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  Starch binder addition was needed for strength, but decreased briquette density.
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  Further study of the effect of biomass variability on densification is needed.

Abstract

Biomass densification processes increase fuel energy density for more efficient transport. This study presents new data to show that blending different types of biomass improves the properties of densified biomass briquettes. The specific objectives were to investigate the effects of sample batch (biomass source), material ratio (rice husks to corn cobs), addition of binder (starch and water mixture) and compaction pressure, on briquette properties, using a factorial experiment.

Briquettes had a unit density of up to 1.9 times the loose biomass bulk density, and were stronger than briquettes from the individual materials. Considering average values from two biomass sources, an unconfined compressive strength of 176 kPa was achieved at a compaction pressure of 31 MPa for a 3:7 blend of rice husks to corn cobs with 10% binder. These briquettes were durable, with only 4% mass loss during abrasion and 10% mass loss during shattering tests. They absorbed 36% less water than loose corn cobs. Statistical analysis of the results showed that starch and water addition was required for adequate briquette strength, but significantly reduced green and relaxed densities. The source of the biomass had a significant effect on densification, which emphasises the need to understand factors underlying biomass variability.

Keywords

• Fuel
• Briquettes
• Rice husks
• Corn cobs
• Density
• Durability

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  Corresponding author at: Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University College London, Chadwick Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom. Tel.: + 44 7531697254 (mobile).

For further details log on website :
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2210784316301553