Influence of size and shape on the strength of briquettes

Abstract

Char fines obtained from low temperature carbonization of a non-caking coal were subjected to surface dressing with addition of water and briquetted using 2 wt.% of starch-based compound binder on the char fines to make cylindrical and ovoid or pillow-shaped briquettes in a hydraulic and a roll press. The compression strength of the cylindrical briquettes was determined by placing them in different positions, in between the plates giving rise to surface, line and point contacts. It was observed that surface compression strength of cylindrical briquettes is generally about 10 times the strength in the other two positions. The strength of ovoid or pillow shaped briquettes did not depend on the dimensions or weight of the briquettes. The point compression strength of such briquettes was found to be about one-fifth the surface compression strength of the corresponding cylindrical briquettes of the same composition.