earticle

영어

This study was conducted to examine the utilization of sawdust and wheat offal hybrid for the production of briquettes for sustainable livelihood. The feedstocks (Sawdust [SD] and Wheat offal [WO]) were collected, dried to 12% moisture content and milled for size homogeneity. SD and WO were mixed at different ratios and used for briquette production (SD-100:0, MIX1-75:25, MIX2-50:50, MIX3-25:75, and WO-0:100). The mixture was fed into a 5-ton hydraulic jack briquetting machine at pressure of 2.4 MPa. All the parameters determined were carried out using ASTM Standard procedures except for Stability and Porosity index. Both physical and combustion properties were statistically analyzed using ANOVA at 95% confidence level. The result of the physical properties of briquettes shows that MIX2 produced using 30% binder recorded highest density (500.97 kg/m3) and lowest density in SD (402.04 kg/m3). It was observed that SD produced at a 30% binder level had the lowest moisture content (5.22%), while SD produced at 20% binder level had moisture content of 5.22%. The result further shows that MIX2 produced at 30% binder level had lowest (50.6%) porosity index and highest (70.32%) in WO at 20% binder level. The result of the stability of briquettes shows that stability of briquettes at a 30% binder level was found to be more linear and stable compared to the 20% binder level. Shatter index of MIX2 at 30% binder level gave higher shatter index (97.72%) compared to 90.39% obtained at 20% binder level. Combustion properties shows that WO at 30% binder have highest volatile matter 27.00%. On the other hand, SD had the lowest ash content of 5.5% and highest calorific value of 34.54 MJ/kg1 at 20% binder level. This is an indication that binder level and biomass type influenced the properties of briquettes.