Abstract: Large quantities of mill residues which are generated annually in Nigeria constitute environment health hazard. Briquetting of these residues is a major way of converting them to a higher quality alternative solid fuel. The present study was undertaken to assess quality briquettes produced from Gmelina arborea sawdust and Tick sawdust from Sango Sawmill, Ibadan in Oyo State Nigeria. Briquetting of the mill residues was carried out by using a hydraulic press briquetting machine at a pressure compression level of 1.5MPa and starch binder concentration of 1.5Mpa and 1.18mm particle size of the sawdust feedstock. The mechanical properties assessed for both species of sawdust include bulk density, moisture content, durability, and compressive strength. Chemical properties such as carbon content and ash content were also assed using standard methods. Starch was used as a binder at 30% (w/w) concentration for Gmelina and Tick briquettes. The results showed that the briquettes produced from Tick sawdust has higher bulk density, ash content and higher percentage carbon content while that of Gmelina sawdust has higher moisture content, compressive strength, and durability. Starch was suitable for binder for the production of briquettes from Gmelina sawdust and Tick sawdust. However, Gmelina arborea sawdust briquettes were stronger and more durable than Tick sawdust briquettes. Therefore these two abundant and cheap mill residues can be used as an alternative energy source in Ibadan and Southwestern region of Nigeria in particular.
Keywords: Briquettes, Comparative Evaluation, Gmelina sawdust, Tick sawdust.
Title: A COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF BRIQUETTE PRODUCED FROM TICK AND GMELINA SAWDUST
Author: Taiwo I. Oyedemi, David B. Oke, Adewumi I. Abioye, Emmanuel Ekundayo
International Journal of Engineering Research and Reviews
ISSN 2348-697X (Online)
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