Effects of particle size and composition of cassava peels and rice husk on the briquette performance

This study investigated the effects of particle size and composition of cassava peels (CPs) and rice husks (RHs) on the briquette performance. The experiments were done by combining CPs and RHs with a ratio of carbon CPs:RHs of 90:10; 70:30; 50:50; 30:70; and 10:90. In the experiments, CPs and RHs were dried naturally for 3 days, carbonized, and saw-milled. 10 g of carbon particles mixed with 4 g binder and moulded. The result showed the optimum compressed and relaxed density was obtained for briquette with small particles and a CPs:RHs ratio of 70:30 and 50:50. The relaxed density ranged between 1.70 and 2.26 g/cm3. The lower moisture content was obtained from the small particle size at the ratio of 50:50. The water boiling test, the burning rate, and the specific fuel consumption indicated that the briquette with small particles and the ratio of 90:10 have an excellent calorific value. The good water-resistant index was obtained for briquette with medium particles and the ratio of 50:50. The average durability index values for all briquettes were about 98. The steam engine run time ranged from 4.18 to 6.42 minutes. The additional RHs are effective for increasing the density, the moisture content, and the heating value of briquettes. The smaller particle size of RHs and CPs gave impacts on the enhancement of the density, the heating value, the ignition time, and the water resistance index. These briquettes are potentially used as one of the renewable energy sources. © School of Engineering, Taylor�s University