Characterization and Determination of Briquette Fuel Prepared from Five Variety of Corn Cob

Abstract

Corn cob residue is significant potential for mere energy resource. From perspective of cost and air pollution management, exploitation of the residue fits appropriate into the strategy of sustainable development and environmentally friend. However, combusting of agricultural by-product without changing their physical nature is considered as insufficient and inefficient utilization to meet energy demand. Utilizing them in their natural form causes extensive heat loss and minimum of amount of heat energy can be recovered. Moreover raw corn cob residue has low density material and heating values when directly employed as fuel. So, converting it into a higher value energy resource is important issue. Corn cob was carbonized in carbonization technology with very limited supply of air. On drum part, about twelve holes were provided to follow up activity and boost carbonization process thereby to reduce charring time and increases conversion efficiency. After carbonization, carbonized corncob was withdrawn from reactor and charred products collected. The carbonized corn cob was crushed and grinded to fine particles in order to prepare briquette from five varieties. The briquettes were then removed from the mold and sun-dried in open air to maintain their mass. Briquette property and they calorific value were investigated employing standard methods. Thus, calorific value or HHV of BH-661, BH-541, Local, Shone and Limmu briquette were 28.58, 28.57, 27.60, 29.67 and 28.49 MJ/Kg respectively.