1

Production of Fuel Briquettes from Waste Paper and Coconut Husk

Admixtures

A. Olorunnisola
Department of Agricultural & Environmental Engineering
University of Ibadan, Nigeria
e-mail: abelolorunnisola@[Link]

ABSTRACT

Nigeria has abundant supplies of biomass resources, particularly agro-forestry residues and
municipal solid waste, whose potentials are yet to be fully tapped for energy generation. The
study was undertaken to investigate the properties of fuel briquettes produced from a mixture of
a municipal solid waste and an agricultural residue, i.e., shredded waste paper and hammer-
milled coconut husk particles. Briquettes were manufactured using a manually-operated closed –
end die piston press at an average pressure of 1.2 x 103 N/m2 using four coconut husk: waste paper
mixing ratios (by weight), i.e., 0:100; 5: 95; 15: 85; and 25: 75. Results obtained showed that
briquettes produced using 100% waste paper and 5:95 waste paper-coconut husk ratios
respectively exhibited the largest (though minimal) linear expansion on drying. While the
equilibrium moisture content of the briquettes ranged between 5.4 % and 13.3%, there was no
clearly discernible pattern in e.m.c variation with increase in coconut husk content. A reciprocal
relationship was observed between compressed/relaxed density and relaxation ratio of the
briquettes. The mean durability rating of all the briquettes exceeded 95%. It was concluded that
stable briquettes could be formed from waste paper mixed with coconut husk particles.

Key Words: Waste paper, coconut husk, briquettes, density, relaxation, durability

1. INTRODUCTION

Traditionally, wood in form of fuel wood, twigs and charcoal has been the major source of
renewable energy in Nigeria, accounting for about 51% of the total annual energy consumption.
The other sources of energy include natural gas (5.2%), hydroelectricity (3.1%), and petroleum
products (41.3%) (Akinbami, 2001). The demand for fuel wood is expected to have risen to
about 213.4 x103 metric tones, while the supply would have decreased to about 28.4 x103 metric
tones by the year 2030 (Adegbulugbe, 1994).
The decreasing availability of fuel wood, coupled with the ever-rising prices of kerosene and
cooking gas in Nigeria, draw attention to the need to consider alternative sources of energy for
domestic and cottage level industrial use in the country. Such energy sources should be
renewable and should be accessible to poor. As rightly noted by Stout and Best (2001), a
transition to a sustainable energy system is urgently needed in the developing countries such as
Nigeria. This should, of necessity, be characterized by a departure from the present subsistence –
level energy usage levels based on decreasing firewood resources, to a situation where human
and farming activities would be based on sustainable and diversified energy forms.

A. Olorunnisola “Production of Fuel Briquettes from Waste Paper and Coconut Husk
Admixtures”. Agricultural Engineering International: the CIGR Ejournal. Manuscript EE 06 006.
Vol. IX. February, 2007
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An energy source that meets such sustainability requirements is fuel briquette. If produced at low
cost and made conveniently accessible to consumers, briquettes could serve as complements to
firewood and charcoal for domestic cooking and agro-industrial operations, thereby reducing the
high demand for both. Besides, briquettes have advantages over fuel wood in terms of greater
heat intensity, cleanliness, convenience in use, and relatively smaller space requirement for
storage (Singh and Singh, 1982; Wamukonya and Jenkins 1995; Yaman et al. 2000;
Olorunnisola, 2004).

Briquetting can be done with or without a binder. Doing without the binder is more convenient
but it requires sophisticated and costly presses and drying equipment which makes such
processes unsuitable in a developing country like Nigeria (Janczak, 1980). As observed by
Wamukonya and Jenkins (1995), for the briquetting industry to be successful in the less
industrialized countries, the equipment should consist of locally designed simple, low-cost
machines.
In Nigeria, large quantities of agricultural and forestry residues produced annually are vastly
under-utilized. The common practice is to burn these residues or leave them to decompose
(Olorunnisola 1998, Jekayinfa and Omisakin 1995). However, previous studies have shown that
these residues could be processed into upgraded liquid fuel products such as briquettes. A
number of such locally available materials briquetted for fuel energy production include sawdust,
cowpea chaffs, corncobs, and water hyacinth (Faborode 1988, Adekoya 1989, Ajayi and Lawal
1995, Olorunnisola 1998, 1999). However, in many of the foregoing studies, the briquettes were
produced with the aid of binders such as cassava starch and palm oil sludge which tend to produce
smoky briquettes.
As an alternative, waste paper appears to be a viable candidate for binding the agricultural residues
for binder-less and perhaps smokeless briquette production. Approximately 25 to 40% of the
municipal solid waste each year world wide consists of paper and paper products (Grigorion,
2003). While the prevailing practice worldwide is to recycle these products in the paper industry,
the process could be expensive in view of its requirements for resorting, de-inking and
decontamination. Also, re-use of recovered waste paper tends to reduce the quality of paper
produced (Groom et al., 1994). Besides, the present level of waste paper recycling technology is
such that a certain percentage of waste paper cannot be recycled for technical and economic
reasons (Grigorion, 2003).
Previous studies have shown that waste paper could be mixed with other biomass materials to
produce relatively cheap and durable binder-less briquettes Demirbas and Sahin, 1998; Yaman et
al. 2000) Attempts have also been made in the past to create fuel from newspaper by rolling
them up into ‘logs’. However, it was found that the product did not burn well (Arnold 1998).
Coconut husk, on the other hand, has a relatively high calorific value (between 18.1 and 20.8
MJ/Kg) coupled with relative low ash content (3.5 - 6%) (Barnard 1985, Jekayinfa and Omisakin
2005).
In the present study, efforts were made to produce binder-less briquettes from a mixture of waste
paper and coconut husk particles at low pressure (< 0.20 MPa) using a locally fabricated manual
briqutting machine. Selected physical properties of these briquettes were also determined.

A. Olorunnisola “Production of Fuel Briquettes from Waste Paper and Coconut Husk
Admixtures”. Agricultural Engineering International: the CIGR Ejournal. Manuscript EE 06 006.
Vol. IX. February, 2007
 3

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1 Raw Material Preparation

Waste paper in form of disused typing sheets, photocopying and printing paper (excluding
cardboard papers) was obtained from an office waste paper bin on the University of Ibadan
campus, Ibadan, Nigeria. The papers were manually shredded into small bits, mixed together,
and soaked in cold water at room temperature (22 ± 30C) for a period of three days. Thereafter,
the water was drained off and the paper was converted into pulp by manual pounding with a
pestle and a mortal. Coconut husks were obtained from a local coconut processor. The husks
were hammer- milled and sieved. Particles that passed through the 850µm sieves and were
retained on the 600µm sieves were used. The average moisture content of the coconut husk,
determined by the oven dry method, was 26.4 % (dry basis).
2.2 Briquette Production and Quality Evaluation
The digested waste paper and coconut husk were thoroughly mixed by hand until a uniformly
blended mixture was obtained. Mixtures were prepared at the following four coconut husk: waste
paper weight ratios, i.e., 0:100; 5: 95; 15: 85; and 25: 75. In each case, a fixed quantity of the
coconut husk-waste paper mixture was hand-fed into a manually operated closed-end piston press
(Figure 1) and compacted at an average pressure of 1.2 x 103 N/m2. The dwell time (i.e., duration
of load application) was 5 minutes as in Olorunnisola (2004). Thirty replicate briquette samples
were produced per batch.

After ejection, the weight, length and diameter were determined. Three to five briquettes were
randomly selected from each production batch for further evaluation. First,

Figure 1: The manually operated briquetting machine

the mean compressed density of the briquettes was determined immediately after removal from the
briquetting machine as a ratio of measured weight over calculated volume. To determine
dimensional stability, the length of five representative briquettes from each production batch was
measured at 0, 30, 60 and 1440 and 10,080 minute intervals. Equilibrium Moisture content (e.m.c.)

A. Olorunnisola “Production of Fuel Briquettes from Waste Paper and Coconut Husk
Admixtures”. Agricultural Engineering International: the CIGR Ejournal. Manuscript EE 06 006.
Vol. IX. February, 2007
 4

of the briquettes after 19 days of sun-drying at an ambient temperature and relative humidity of 22
± 30C and 75 ± 5% respectively were determined. The relaxed density of the briquettes was also
determined in the dry condition after 19 days.

The durability of the dry briquettes was determined with the aid of a durability tester, i.e., a dust-
tight 300 mm x 300mm x 475 mm enclosed box using the ASAE standard method, S269.3. Test
sample of three briquettes (approximately 100g) was tumbled for 10 minutes at 50rev/min. The
weight of the solid briquettes remaining was then determined. The durability rating for each type of
briquette was expressed as a percentage of the initial mass of the material remaining in the box.

The water resistance of the dry briquettes was determined by immersing five samples each in a
glass container filled with distilled water at room temperature 72 hours and measuring the changes
in length and diameter of each briquette. Each experiment was replicated thrice.

3.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1 Physical Characteristics of the Briquettes

Samples of the sun-dried briquettes produced are shown in Figures 2 and 3. Each briquette
weighed approximately 35 grams. The average length of the briquettes was 37 mm, while the
average diameter was 73 mm. Briquettes produced using 100% waste paper assumed a whitish
colour, while those produced using different proportions of waste paper and coconut husk
assumed different shades of brown coloration, depending on the quantity of coconut husk
included. The more the waste paper content, the more attractive were the briquettes.

3.2 Briquette Stability (Length Expansion)

It is a well established fact that briquettes and/or pellets compressed in a closed cylinder have a
tendency to expand as the pressure is released. The expansion takes place primarily in the
direction in which the load is applied, i.e., longitudinal direction. Figure 4 shows the increase in
length with time of briquettes from the various waste paper-coconut husk mixtures.

A. Olorunnisola “Production of Fuel Briquettes from Waste Paper and Coconut Husk
Admixtures”. Agricultural Engineering International: the CIGR Ejournal. Manuscript EE 06 006.
Vol. IX. February, 2007
 5

Figure 2: Samples briquettes produced with 100% wastepaper

Figure 3: Samples of wastepaper-coconut husk briquettes

The observed linear expansions were generally minimal. Briquettes produced using 100% waste
paper and 5:95 waste paper-coconut husk ratio respectively exhibited the largest linear expansion
(about 9%), while those manufactured at 15:95 and 25:75 ratios exhibited the least expansion
(about 3%). What this finding seems to suggest is that the coconut husk perhaps had some
stabilizing effects on the briquettes. Bruhn et al (1959) had observed that the type of material
briquetted is one of the factors that have appreciable effects on product expansion.

3.3 Equilibrium Moisture Content

As shown in Table 1, the equilibrium moisture content (e.m.c.) of the briquettes ranged between
5.4 % and 13.3%. There was no clearly discernible pattern in e.m.c variation with increase in
coconut husk content. However, the observed values fall within the range of values (7.7 – 15.1%,
wet basis) reported by Wamukonya and Jenkins (1995) for sawdust and wheat-straw briquettes,
and the range of values (12 -20 %, wet basis)

A. Olorunnisola “Production of Fuel Briquettes from Waste Paper and Coconut Husk
Admixtures”. Agricultural Engineering International: the CIGR Ejournal. Manuscript EE 06 006.
Vol. IX. February, 2007
 6

4 .1

3 .9

3 .7
Increase in Length, cm

3 .5 P BQ

5 % C H 95 % P
3 .3
1 5% C H 8 5% P
3 .1
2 5% C H 7 5% P
2 .9

2 .7

2 .5
0 1 .5 1 .8 2 .2 3 .5 3 .6 3 .8 3 .9 3 .9 4 4 .1 4 .1
L og of T im e

Figure 4: Length increase with time.

Note that the length at time zero is the length of the briquettes immediately upon removal from the die. ‘PBQ’ stands
for 100% waste paper briquette; ‘CH’ stands for coconut husk, while ‘P’ stands for waste paper

recommended for good storability and combustibility of briquettes (Carre et al. 1988). An e.m.c.
in excess of 20% would result in considerable loss of energy required for water evaporation
during combustion at the expense of the calorific value of the fuel. Such a briquette may also not
be stable in storage.

3.4 Compressed and Relaxed Density

One of the parameters used to characterize briquettes is relaxed density, i.e., the density of
briquette after removal from the press. As shown in Table 1, the average compressed density of
the briquettes (i.e., density determined immediately after compression) ranged from 8.1g/cm3 to
11.2g/cm3, while the average dry density ranged from 3.7g/cm3 to 6.3g/cm3. These values give a
relaxation ratio (i.e., ratio of compressed density to relaxed density) of between 1.8 and 2.5.
O’Dogherty (1989) reported a comparable relaxation ratio in the range of 1.65 to 1.80 for
briquetted hay materials.

Briquettes produced with 100% waste paper had the highest compressed and relaxed density, as
well as the lowest relaxation ratio, while there was a slight increase in relaxed density and a
fairly constant relaxation ratio with increase in coconut husk content. The general decrease in
compressed density with increase in coconut husk content may be due to the relatively low bulk
density of coconut husk as reported by Olorunnisola (2006).

A. Olorunnisola “Production of Fuel Briquettes from Waste Paper and Coconut Husk
Admixtures”. Agricultural Engineering International: the CIGR Ejournal. Manuscript EE 06 006.
Vol. IX. February, 2007
 7

Table 1: Equilibrium moisture content and density of the briquette

% inclusion of Equilibrium Compressed Relaxed Relaxation
Coconut Husk Moisture Density Density Ratio
in briquette Content (Wet (g/cm3)* (g/cm3)*
Basis, %)*
0 6.9 11.2 ± 2.3 6.3 ± 1.3 1.8

5 9.4 8.1 ± 1.1 3.7 ± 0.6 2.2

15 5.4 9.5 ± 0.7 3.8 ± 0.3 2.5

25 14.3 9.5 ± 0.9 3.9 ± 0.4 2.4

*Mean and standard deviation of 5 replicate samples

The greater density and smaller relaxation ratio observed in the 100% waste paper briquettes
may, perhaps, also be due to its homogenous nature, which may have enabled the material to
form a stronger bond, hence a denser and more stable product during compaction, than the waste
paper-coconut husk mixture.

3.4 Durability Rating

Durability is a measure of the ability of a briquette to withstand mechanical handling. As shown in

Table 2, the durability rating of the different briquette composition ranged from 93.3% to 98.5 %.
These are relatively high values, higher than between 46.5 and 88.4% reported by Wamukonya and
Jenkins (1995) for sawdust and wheat straw briquettes.

Table 2: Durability rating of the briquettes

% inclusion of Mean Durability Standard
Coconut Husk in Rating (%)* Deviation
briquette
Composition
0 98.5 1.7
5 97.9 0.1
15 97.9 1.9
25 96.3 1.1
*Mean of 3 replicates.

The highest durability rating was observed in briquettes produced with 100% waste paper. As
observed by Husain et al. (2002), the durability of briquettes is a function of the moisture content
and density. While the presence of moisture tends to reduce durability, density tends to enhance it.
It stands to reason, therefore, that the waste paper briquettes that had the lowest moisture content
and the highest density also had the highest durability rating. Durability of briquettes is also a

A. Olorunnisola “Production of Fuel Briquettes from Waste Paper and Coconut Husk
Admixtures”. Agricultural Engineering International: the CIGR Ejournal. Manuscript EE 06 006.
Vol. IX. February, 2007
 8

function of the bond strength between the constituent parts. The observed decline in briquette
durability with decrease in waste paper content could also be attributed to the adhesive role the
waste paper played in the briquettes. Cellulose, the main constituent of paper, is known to contain
proteinaceous materials which tend to have excellent adhesive properties (Immergut 1975).

3.5 Water Resistance

The results of the simple immersion test are presented in Table 3. The post-immersion linear
expansion of the briquettes ranged between 0 and 10%. It could be inferred, therefore, that the
briquettes had a relatively low water absorption characteristic. Briquette samples produced from
the 5:95 coconut husk: waste paper mixing ratio in particular did not exhibit any linear expansion
after 72 –hour immersion in water, indicating the least absorption quality.

Table 3: Dimensional changes in briquettes after 3-day immersion in water

% inclusion of Initial Length Final Length % Length
Coconut Husk (mm)* (mm)* Expansion*
in briquette
0 34 35 10

5 36 36 0

15 35 36 10

25 39 36 10

Mean of 3 replicates

Coconut husk, on its own, is known for its relatively high affinity for water. Savastano
(1990) noted that the water absorption rate of coconut husk usually tend to be high, sometimes
reaching over 100% in only one hour of immersion in water. Filho et al. (1990) also reported that
the water absorption capacity of naturally dried coconut husk fibres during the first 96 hours was
about 120%. The relatively high resistance of the briquettes to water may therefore be attributed to
the waste paper inclusion. Paper is composed mainly of cellulose fibres which at the microscopic
level contains waxes (water repellants), among other noncellulosic substances (Immergut 1975).
What this finding suggests, however, is that a mild exposure of the briquettes to moisture would
not have any serious deleterious (disintegrating) effect on them.

4. CONCLUSIONS

The conclusions drawn from this study are as follows-:

i. Good quality and highly storable/durable briquettes can be produced from a mixture of
coconut husk and waste paper and also from waste paper only.

A. Olorunnisola “Production of Fuel Briquettes from Waste Paper and Coconut Husk
Admixtures”. Agricultural Engineering International: the CIGR Ejournal. Manuscript EE 06 006.
Vol. IX. February, 2007
 9

ii. The generally high durability rating of the briquettes suggests that they could be
transported over a long distance without disintegrating.

Based on the foregoing conclusions, further investigations shall be conducted on the

combustion characteristics of waste paper and coconut husk briquettes. This is necessary to
enable a pronouncement on their utility as a fuel product. In addition it is also desirable to
produce briquettes by blending paper with other types of agricultural residues such as bagasse,
rice husk, and groundnut shells and test same.

5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author acknowledges, with thanks, the assistance rendered by Mr. Frederick Appah,
formerly of the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, University of
Ibadan, Nigeria during the experimental phase of this work.

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Admixtures”. Agricultural Engineering International: the CIGR Ejournal. Manuscript EE 06 006.
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