Effects of organic and inorganic binders on the carbonized empty fruit bunch (EFB) briquette properties

Abstract

Converting empty fruit bunch (EFB) fibers into a solid fuel through briquetting process has been actively explored due to its potential as renewable energy fuel. However, briquetting process required the addition of a binder as a solution in upgrading the briquette properties. In this study, carbonized EFB fibers was blended with different type of organic and inorganic binders at composition of EFB fibers to binders solution (water/binder) with ratio of 100:110/20. Organic binders used are tapioca starch and corn starch, while calcium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide represent inorganic binders. Blended materials were then manually compressed in a cylindrical mould for 10 minutes. The compressive strength, proximate properties and combustion characteristics were investigated to evaluate the effects of different types of binder on the briquette properties. Results showed that carbonized EFB briquette blended with tapioca starch had the best physical and chemical properties compared to others. Furthermore, the combustion rate of these briquette generate heating value up to 23.62 MJ/kg which indicate it has potential to be applied as good solid fuel and later to produce gas with less tar content. It was also observed that the type of binder influenced the combustion characteristics of the carbonized EFB briquette.