Production of Paperboard Briquette Using Waste Paper and Sawdust

Abstract

Nigeria has abundant supplies of biomass resources and agro-forestry residues (waste), including sawdust, whose potentials are yet to be fully utilized for economic advantage. This study was undertaken to investigate the properties of paperboard briquettes produced from a mixture of shredded waste paper (pulp) and sawdust using starch as binder. The paperboard briquettes were produced manually by compressing soaked mixtures of pulp and sawdust in a wooden mould (28 cm x 28 cm x 1 cm) with a compressive load of 26 kg in the mixing ratios (by weight) 100:0, 70:30, 50:50, 70:30, and 0:100 of pulp to sawdust, respectively. The compressed mixtures were sun dried for three days to ensure proper drying and free from moisture. Density, compressive and tensile tests were carried out on the test samples. The results showed that mass and density of the paperboard increased with increased amount of the sawdust in the mixture. Test results showed that compressive strength decreases as the sawdust content increases. Sample A, which is 100% paper, had a compressive strength of 5215 kPa, while Sample E, which is 100% sawdust, had a compressive strength of 22.02 kPa. It was also observed that sample B, which is 70% pulp and 30% sawdust, had the highest tensile strength of 0.629 kPa. However, the tensile strength reduces as the sawdust ratio in the mixture increases. The tensile strength of sample E (100% sawdust) could not be determined because the sample failed to bind properly. It was concluded that paperboard briquettes can be produced using paper and sawdust, which are generally considered wastes.