INVESTIGATION OF BRIQUETTE OF DIFFERENT SPECIES OF WOOD SAWDUST AS SOLID FUEL

Abstract

Investigation of briquettes of different species of wood sawdust as solid fuel was carried out. Briquettes of sawdust species of Teak, Masonia, lroko, Afara and Common Sawdust (mixture of difference species of wood) were produced by mixing them with binders. Two different binders, the starch paste and sodium silicate were used to agglomerate different sets of the sawdust mixture together. For each of the species, briquettes of 100% sawdust were produced. Also briquettes of sawdust mixed with palm kernel shell of 0.85mm and 1.18mm in grain sizes in ratio of 70:30, (sawdust to palm kernel shell) were produced. The mixtures were compressed at 6.89MPa (1000psi) using a manually operated hydraulic briquetting machine. Experimental tests, which involved the determination of Calorific Value and Flame Temperature, were carried out. Proximate Analysis was also carried out to determine the constituent of the briquettes, which includes, Percentage Volatile Matters, Percentage Ash Content, Percentage Moisture and Percentage Fixed Carbon. Water Boiling Test which involve Percentage Heat Utilized, Specific Fuel Consumption and Time Spend in Boiling 1kg of water were carried out on each of the sample briquettes having been sun-dried properly. The masonia briquette with grain size of 1.18mm palm kernel shell was found to be the best solid fuel under the different tests.