BIOMASS POWER CRITICAL TOOL IN FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE

Abstract

This work carried out the comparative analysis of briquettes produced from commonly found agricultural wastes product (Maize husk and millet husk) in order to have the maximum utility of the materials. The briquettes are produced based on ratio of 80:20, 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50.While 100:0 (unblended) was used as control for each biomass. 25 % starch paste was used as binder to have a homogenous solution. The briquettes were produced using a simple extruder briquetting machine. The proximate analysis of the raw samples shows that the moisture content of the respective biomass has increased by two fold of the briquettes sample produced and the ash content is less while the briquettes have very high volatile matter which enhance combustion and give briquettes more quality as fuel. Higher ratios of blended briquettes of maize husk have a good flame propagation, high density, ignite faster and produced small amount of ash content after combustion. Hardness, compressive strength and combustibility test of the briquettes produced ascertained all these properties. In conclusion, maize husk briquettes give a better briquettes quality compared to millet husk briquettes.