Thesis Archive
Evaluation of Fuel Properties of Charcoal Briquettes Derived From Combinations of Coconut Shell, Corn Cob and Sugarcane Bagasse (2013-2014)
Gino Martin T. Arellano
Yuji S. Kato
Abstract:
-“The Philippines produces large volumes of agricultural crops per year, among them are coconut, corn and sugarcane. Accompanying this is the production of its agricultural wastes such as coconut shell, corn cob and sugarcane bagasse. There are studies that reported an increase in heating value of briquettes with combinations of agricultural wastes. There is still no research done on producing briquettes from the three agricultural wastes. The study aims to evaluate the fuel properties of charcoal briquettes made from combinations of coconut shell, corn cob and sugarcane bagasse at specified ratios. In the study, single (100%), double (50%-50%) and triple (33%-33%-33%, 50%-25%-25%, 50%-37.5%-12.5%) constituent briquettes were produced with compaction pressures of 2.2 MPa, 4.4 MPa and 6.6 MPa. The fuel properties evaluated are calorific value as well as density, relaxation and compaction ratios. Blending combinations of charcoal from different raw materials showed an improvement in the calorific value. Among multiple constituent briquettes, 50% coconut shell – 25% corn cob – 25% sugarcane bagasse combination yielded the highest calorific value at 19951.4 J/g which was comparable to coconut shell charcoal, having the highest calorific value among all charcoal at 21693.3 J/g. The compaction pressure had a significant effect only on the volume displacement of the briquettes due to more void space in the raw materials that can be filled up upon the application of higher compaction pressure. The mixture ratio greatly affected the stability and calorific value of the product briquettes.”
Adviser:
Dr. Florinda T. Bacani