Preparation and characterization of leaf-based biobriquette with tapioca as adhesives

Abstract

The fall leaves waste are abundantly and freely available from trees which are grown aims for reforestation and environmental sustainability purposes such as Samanea saman, Filicium decipiens, and mahogany trees. However, burning fallen leaves used to be standard practice across some local areas though most municipalities now ban or discourage the incendiary practice due to the air pollution causes bad impact to human health and the environment, and often results in dangerous wildfires. Also, ash particulates irritate the eyes and throat and restrict visibility. On the other hand, the powder of those dried leaves is potential raw materials for briquettes as an alternative source of energy provide proper carbonation process. This paper reports the preparation and characterization of briquettes from the powder of those dry leaves utilized tapioca as an adhesive. The proximate analysis showed that the lowest water content was 6.13% obtained from carbonization of Filicium decipiens briquettes, the lowest ash content was 4.66% for non-carbonization briquettes Samanea saman, the lowest volatile matter was 29.85% for carbonization briquette Samanea saman, the highest fixed carbon was 49.32% for briquette carbonization Samanea saman. The highest calorific value was 5,236 cal/g received from carbonized Filicium decipiens briquettes. It was concluded that the use of tapioca as adhesive could improve the calorific value of as prepared briquettes.