EVALUATION OF COMPOSITE SAWDUST BRIQUETTE AS A HIGH GRADE FUEL FOR DOMESTIC COOKING

Abstract

Evaluation of Composite Sawdust Briquette as a high-grade fuel for domestic cooking is discussed in this write-up. Composite sawdust briquettes were produced by mixing sawdust and palm kernel shell of sizes 1.18mm, 2.00mm and 2.36mm in percentage ratios of 90: 10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50 respectively. Starch was used as a binding agent. The whole mixtures were compressed at 6.89Mpa (1000 Psi.) using a manually operated hydraulic briquetting machine. Experimental tests like Calorific Value Test, Water Boiling Test and Controlled Cooking Test were carried out on the samples having sun dried them properly for some days. The 70:30 composite briquettes with palm kernel shell size of 1.18mm were considered best under the Calorific Value and Water Boiling Tests. These were used to cook food items like yam, rice and beans under the Controlled Cooking Test. Its performance was compared to that of kerosene fuel under the same test. The data obtained at the end of the experiments were analysed statistically. A cost analysis was carried out to compare the cost effectiveness of using the briquettes with kerosene fuel.