EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON THE PHYSICAL AND COMBUSTION PROPERTIES OF BRIQUETTES FROM VARIOUS AGRO -AQUATIC WASTES

Abstract

The constant increase in environmental pollution and depletion of renewable resources leads to a focus on bio briquette. Therefore, several issues arise relating to reusing or recycling such materials. Many of the bio-wastes are the main reason for the environmental issues. Yet, another major issue of concern in India is the aquatic weed infestation in water bodies. Invasive weeds such as water hyacinth (WH) pose severe environmental and economic issues. A potential remedy for this waste disposal and high dependence on non-renewable materials is the conversion of these aquatic weeds into sustainable biomass briquette. The primary objective of this work is to explore the potential of various biomasses for the production of bio briquette using natural rubber latex as a binder. Biomass briquettes were produced with biomass that passed through a sieve of 2.36 mm. An experimental investigation was carried out on the bio briquette to determine bulk density, proximate parameters, water absorption, shatter index, compressive strength, and calorific value. From the characterization of the raw material, it is clear that rice husk and banana peel have higher ash content (above 20 %). Hence, they are not suitable for biomass briquette production. Moreover, Sugar cane bagasse, dry leaves, water hyacinth leaves, oil palm fruit bunch, sawdust, vegetable market waste, and spent tea waste have excellent fuel properties and are good candidates for biomass briquette production. The density calculation shows that briquettes made from spent tea waste have the highest dimensional stability. The water performances of briquettes made from sawdust, rice husk, vegetable market waste, water hyacinth, and oil palm fruit bunch are excellent. Furthermore, all the developed briquettes have superior compressive strength except for spent tea waste. Also, the durability characteristics of all the produced briquettes were excellent; hence, the chances of collapse during transportation will be minimal. Higher heating values were obtained for briquettes made from sawdust, vegetable market waste, grass waste, oil palm fruit bunch, spent tea waste, and water hyacinth leaves from the characterization of biomass briquettes