Characterization of briquettes derived from water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and khat (Catha edulis Forsk) wastes around Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia

Abstract

The objective of this research was to characterize briquettes produced from khat and water hyacinth as a substitute for traditional energy sources. Khat and water hyacinth samples were collected from Bahir Dar city and Lake Tana, Ethiopia. The collected samples were cleansed, chopped and sun dried to attain a moisture content of <15%. Sun-dried water hyacinth and khat samples were carbonized in an oxygen-scarce condition. The carbonized resources were subsequently ground into small particles, combined with a binder, and converted into briquettes using a briquette machine and collected for laboratory analysis. It was observed that carbonization efficiency ranged from 22.67 to 38%. The findings showed that khat alone produced briquettes with the best combustion properties, followed by khat and water hyacinth mixtures at 75:25 and 50:50 ratios. The briquettes prepared from 100% water hyacinth and 25:75 blend of khat & water hyacinth had the best emission characteristics. The study also showed that water hyacinth briquettes had the highest durability index and water resistance, whereas khat briquettes had the highest compressed density, relaxation density, and relaxation ratio. Therefore, this study shows that briquettes produced from water hyacinth and khat wastes can be used as an alternative energy source.