Quality enhancement of fuel briquette from cornhusk and cassava peel blends for co‐firing in coal thermal plant

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the physico-mechanical and combustion indices of briquettes made from blends of cornhusk (CH) and cassava peel (CP). The CH and CP was torrefied at 200°C to 300°C and were mixed in the ratio 90/10 to 10/90 for briquette production using D-optimal crossed design. The fuel application for co-firing in coal engines was evaluated with fuel ratio, combustibility index and volatile ignitability. The findings revealed that the density, durability index and compressive strength of briquettes blend at 10/90 (CH/CP) torrefied at 300°C and water preconditioned, were respectively improved by 18.19, 2.98, and 32.25% compared with those for raw briquettes at 10/90 blend ratio. Furthermore, the fixed carbon and calorific value increased with the increase in the torrefaction temperature and time. The produced briquettes at the mixing ratios of 10/90 and 30/70 (CH/CP) torrefied at 300°C for at least 1 hour is sufficient for co-firing in coal engines. The CH and CP wastes with low calorific value which are hitherto discarded could be used to produce briquettes with appropriate qualities attributes of alternative fuel source for heating applications.