Influence of feedstock mixtures on the fuel characteristics of blended cornhusk, cassava peels, and sawdust briquettes

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of feedstock mixture on the fuel characteristics of briquettes produced from sawdust (SD), cornhusk (CH), and cassava peels (CP) for domestic and industrial applications. The feedstock was each studied singly and mixed in the ratio 30/70, 50/50, and 70/30 with the binder to feedstock ratio of 20:100 by mass for briquette production and characterization. The elemental and proximate analyses were carried out to evaluate fuel properties. The briquette structural arrangement was determined with the Scanning Electron Microscope and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Detector, while the functional groups was obtained from FTIR analyzer. A non-isothermal Coats-Redfern method was carried out to determine the activation energy and pre-exponential factors. The O/C and H/C ratios slightly decrease when the mixing ratio of sawdust with other feedstocks increased. The bonding of the briquette samples was enhanced by blending CH with other feedstocks, thereby improving the structural integrity of the mixed briquettes and closing the gaps and voids within and between particles. The highest infrared transmittance of C–H, OH, C–O, and C=C was found in SD briquette followed by CH and CP while CH briquette contained higher C–C. The activation energy of the briquettes varied between 39.70 and 60.76 kJ/mol. The hypothetical thermal plant analysis of the briquettes shows that mixed CH/CP and CH/SD respectively reduced the potential for CO2 and NO2 emissions. Furthermore, Ca, P, and K played the most significant role in the briquette’s agglomeration. The mixing of feedstocks for briquettes production has great fuel potential for heating applications.