International Journal of Research and Review

Vol. 9; Issue: 9; September 2022

Website: www.ijrrjournal.com
Research Paper E-ISSN: 2349-9788; P-ISSN: 2454-2237

Production of Fuel Briquettes from a Blend of

Corncob and Rice Husk
Sam Obu, C.V1, Amos, J.; Chris-Ukaegbu, S.O.2, Dike Chijindu P.3,
Odeniyi, O. M.4
1,3,4
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal Polytechnic Offa, Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria
2
Department of Civil Engineering, Federal Polytechnic Offa, Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria

Corresponding Author: Sam Obu, C.V

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20220917

ABSTRACT petroleum-based fuels (Oladeji, 2015).

Therefore, a sustainable alternative energy
The main subjects of this study were the source is necessary, especially in a
production of briquettes made from a mixture of developing nation like Nigeria (Stout and
corncob and rice husk. The calorific value of the Best, 2001). When developed, biomass is a
manufactured briquettes and proximal and
ultimate analyses were used to evaluate their
renewable energy source with a lot of
combustion characteristics. The manufactured potential and it provides significant
fuel briquette's ash, moisture, volatile matter, and environmental and economic benefits (FAO,
fixed carbon content varied from 2.99 to 14.28, 2010). A considerable amount of residue is
4.24 to 14.99, 59.7 to 71.39, and 9.50 to 21.38, produced during agricultural production,
respectively. Its calorific value ranges from 11.98 making collecting biomass simple. Nigeria is
to 15.55 MJ/kg. The maximum compressed endowed with a wealth of biomass resources,
density (2.1 g/cm3), relaxed density (0.82 particularly agroforestry waste and
g/cm3), shattering index (99.53%), and water municipal solid waste, and its potential for
resistance capacity (11.9 minutes) were found in energy production can be completely
maize cob briquettes with 0.2 mm particle size. realized (Jekayinfa and Scholz, 2009). The
Briquettes made from a mixture of rice husk and
corn cob can be used as a source of cooking fuel
country produces a lot of agricultural waste
and in small businesses like bakeries. but doesn't do much with it. Most of it is
burned or allowed to rot in the field, which
Keywords: Agricultural waste, fuel briquettes, degrades the environment (Jekayinfa and
corncob, rice husk Omisakin, 2005). More research is being
done on the possibility of using agricultural
INTRODUCTION and agro-industrial waste as biomass fuel for
The increase in urbanization and population power generation as an alternative to them.
expansion has caused a steady rise in the Agricultural leftovers could be gathered and
demand for traditional energy sources (Deac processed in the home and industrial
et al., 2016). Nearly 90% of the world's applications as a substitute energy source,
energy consumption comes from fossil fuels either directly as solid fuel through
like oil, coal, and gas combined (NS Energy, combustion or by densification (Ajimotokan
2015). However, significant issues are et al., 2018). However, due to their bulkiness,
preventing the continued use of fossil fuels, unevenness, and poor energy density, most
including the inevitable depletion of the agricultural wastes are not appropriate for
world's oil supplies, volatility in the direct use as fuel (Oladeji, 2010). They are
petroleum market, and greenhouse gas challenging to handle, store, and transport
emissions caused by the combustion of due to their qualities. Therefore, a conversion

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 Sam Obu C.V et.al. Production of fuel briquettes from a blend of corncob and rice husk

process is required to turn these wastes for The purpose of this research is the production
use as home and industrial energy. These of fuel briquettes from mixtures of
residues can be turned into biomass energy carbonized corncob and rice husk. Given
by briquetting, a practical technology. this, leftover corn cob and rice husk materials
Briquettes made from agricultural waste are will be gathered and sorted; perform
highly suitable for replacing fossil fuels preliminary characterization of the biomass
currently in use and have considerable materials; pulverising the biomass and
economic and environmental benefits performing sieve analysis and densifying the
(Yamaji et al., 2010). Solid material particles biomass to make briquettes.
are compressed during the briquetting
process to create blocks with a specific shape Overview of the Materials
and size. This procedure enhances the Corncob
biomass's handling properties while Corncob is a byproduct of agriculture made
significantly increasing its calorific value from maize and is still attached to the ear
(Ahmed et al., 2008). Paper trash (Chaney et where the kernels develop. According to
al., 2010), rice husk (Saptoadi, 2008), statistics on the production of corn
sawdust (Mitchual et al., 2013), corn cob worldwide, Nigeria produced 7.2 million
(Wilaipon, 2007), coal and corncob (Ikelle, metric tons of maize in 2016. For corn cobs,
2014), and banana peel (Wilaipon, 2008) are the crop to residue ratio is 0.273. (Alhassan
just a few examples of the biomass briquettes et al., 2019). It is a biomass feedstock with
that have been the subject of numerous direct potential as an energy source, making
studies. Therefore, this study aimed to it appropriate for the production of biomass
produce briquettes using a mixture of briquettes. Its density and uniformity,
corncob and rice husk. This is due to the enhanced energy content, low sulfur and
country's abundant availability of both agro- nitrogen contents, and other benefits make it
residues. Making these wastes into a real superior to other biomass feedstocks
source of energy that can be used for both (Extension Farm Energy, 2016).
home and industrial purposes will be a
breakthrough. Rice Husk
Nigeria faces an environmental concern due The tough protective layer that covers rice
to the rising pace of deforestation brought on grains is called a husk. Throughout the
by the cutting down of trees for charcoal in growing season, it safeguards the rice. When
rural and some urban regions. A bill rice is harvested, the husk makes up around
requiring manufacturers to obtain a license to 20% of the crop's volume, which makes it
generate charcoal legitimately has also been heavy, unwieldy, and possibly expensive to
enacted into law by the Kwara State transport (Tatyana et al., 2016). When rice is
administration to lessen the harmful processed at a rice processing facility, the
environmental effects of charcoal membranes are separated, and the grain is
production. Since there are no other sources crushed, ground, polished, and moved along
of revenue for many illicit producers, this elevators and conveyors, among other
approach has not truly been successful. technological processes involved in the
Additionally, households now lack an manufacture of rice. The agro-residues
affordable alternative energy source to exhibit poor flow properties, higher potash
charcoal. Therefore, it is crucial to quickly content, and higher ash content than sawdust.
identify a suitable replacement that will But rice husk, as depicted in Figure 2.2, is
require little upfront investment and be unique biomass. It has good flowability, is
considerably more environmentally friendly. often available with 10% moisture, and the
To reduce deforestation and environmental high ash sintering temperature is caused by a
harm, this research looks for alternatives to lack of alkaline minerals in the ash. Despite
firewood and charcoal. having a lower calorific value than wood and

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 Sam Obu C.V et.al. Production of fuel briquettes from a blend of corncob and rice husk

other agro-residues, it makes an excellent several nations in Europe and America

fuel. during this time. To make briquettes, various
biomasses are being investigated. Kaliyan
Biomass fuel briquettes and Morey (2010) examined the properties of
Briquettes made from biomass are a biofuel maize cob densification. The fuel
alternative to coal and charcoal. Briquettes characteristics of briquettes made from
are mostly utilized in developing countries leftover rice husk and corncobs were
with limited access to cooking fuel. They are assessed by Oladeji (2010). Chou et al.
created using various organic materials, explored the manufacture and
including grass, leaves, sawdust, rice husks, characterization of solid biomass fuel
corn cobs, banana peels, and other paper derived from rice bran and straw (2009).
types. A briquette press is then used to Yumak et al. (2010) created briquettes from
compress these ingredients. Briquettes are soda weed (salsola tragus) to be used as a fuel
more straightforward to create than fossil source in rural areas. By Wilaipon and Acma
fuels because they come from a sustainable (2013), the effects of briquetting pressure on
energy source (Shrestha, 2015). banana-peel briquettes and banana trash in
Because they are compacted, biomass northern Thailand were studied, as well as
briquettes are preferable to lose biomass. the creation of bio-briquettes from
They can burn for a more extended period, carbonized brown seaweed (2009).
thanks to the compression. It is inexpensive The handling and combustion attributes of
and accessible to anyone. agricultural leftovers are improved by
briquetting. Studies have shown that after
Concept of briquetting briquetting, the calorific value increases (El-
The process of compacting residues into a Saeidy, 2004; Wilaipon, 2008). In
product with a higher density than the initial comparison to raw agricultural residues and
raw materials is known as briquetting, also wastes, briquettes are simple to handle,
known as densification (Kaliyan and Morey, inexpensive to store, and convenient to
2008). By compressing these materials into a transport (Kaliyan and Morey, 2009). The
solid fuel with a practical shape that can be briquetting process assists in resolving the
burned as solid fuel, briquetting aims to solve issue of biomass leftovers being difficult to
the issues these materials are known for, such dispose of and sometimes causing pollution
as low thermal efficiency, complex handling, problems (Ndiema, et al., 2002). Briquetting
and transportation. Compared to the original raw materials are easily accessible
garbage, briquettes have better physical and everywhere in the world, particularly in less
combustion properties. Rice straws, wheat developed nations. Additionally, low-cost
straws, cotton stalks, rice husks, corn cobs, equipment can be utilized for densification.
sugar cane waste (bagasse), fruit branches, Briquette burning is potentially clean and
and other materials make suitable raw smokeless, and it doesn't frequently cause
materials for briquetting. Briquettes' eye and respiratory illnesses in women and
appearance, burning properties, and children who are typically engaged in
compactness are all influenced by the type of domestic tasks (Shakya, 2002). Briquetting
feedstock, level of use, and mould (El- fuel promotes and maintains a green
Saeidy, 2004; Wilaipon, 2009; Kaliyan and environment. This is because most of these
Morey, 2006). leftovers are gathered for briquetting,
Briquettes were a significant source of preventing the open-air burning of residues.
energy during the First and Second World By giving people an alternative to burning
Wars for heat and power generation (Yadong wood for fuel, the procedure also helps to
and Henry, 2000). Under the influence of stop deforestation. Because they are made
fuel shortages, the briquetting of sawdust and from biomass waste, they have reduced
other waste materials spread throughout overall fuel costs for users. Lastly, the

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briquetting process creates employment pressure hydraulic system (Grover and

prospects (El-Saeidy, 2004). Mishra, 1996).
There are several types of briquetting
machines available for the densification of Review of Related Studies
agricultural wastes. Examples are: The project "Physico-Mechanical
Characterization of Fuel Briquettes produced
Screw Presses from Blends of Corncob and Rice Husk" was
In developing nations, screw presses are a undertaken by Ajimotokan et al. in 2018. It
standard densification tool that works well was established that the investigated
for small-scale applications. Japan is where physicomechanical properties of the created
the technology was created and invented in briquettes were strongly influenced by
1945. (Grover and Mishra, 1996). The variations in the particle size of the corncob
machine feeds raw materials constantly and rice husk components, as well as the
through a screw that presses them into a mixing ratio and compaction pressure. The
cylindrical die. To get the temperature in this study assessed a number of the physical and
die high enough for lignin flow, it is mechanical characteristics of fuel briquettes,
frequently heated. The temperature may not including compressive strength, durability,
rise enough to enable lignin flow if the die is and green and relaxed densities. The highest
not heated, in which case binding materials compressive strength of 111 kN/m2 was
may need to be added (Tabil, 1997). achieved by the briquette made from an
Compared to piston presses, the screw press 80:20 mixture of corncob and rice husk with
may create denser and stronger briquettes 0.25 mm particle size at 65 kPa compaction
(Singh et al., 2007). pressure. The briquette's lowest compressive
strength of 39 kN/m2 was achieved. The
Piston Presses study also demonstrates that briquette
Contrary to screw presses, the machine's durability rises as particle sizes are
cylindrical die is not continuously supplied decreased.
with raw materials. A piston then forces the Production and Characterization of Biomass
material into a die with a small taper. A Briquettes from Tannery Solid Waste was the
piston press creates solid briquettes. There focus of Onukak et al. (2017)'s research. The
are essentially two types of piston presses. study's subjects were the production and
The piston presses mentioned here are characterization of biomass briquettes from
mechanical and hydraulic (Grover and tannery solid wastes. The samples were
Mishra, 1996). subjected to proximate analysis and scanning
electron microscopy. The six briquettes were
Mechanical Piston Press shaped and given different proportions of
This piston press uses an electric motor that hair, flesh, chrome shavings, and polishing
has been geared down using a belt coupling dust. The six briquette formulations also
as its main drive. Most materials can be investigated properties like compressive
turned into hard, dense briquettes using strength, thermal efficiency, and durability.
mechanical presses. In Switzerland, during The generated briquettes had calorific values
World War II, the contemporary style of ranging from 18.632 to 24.101 MJ/kg. The
mechanical piston press was first developed. briquettes' levels of durability ranged from
98.12 to 99.77 per cent. In comparison to
Hydraulic Piston Presses other fuel sources like sub-bituminous coal
The principle of operation is the same as with (20.00 - 24.73 MJ/kg), the energy values
a mechanical piston press. The main were in the range of 17.462-24.101 MJ/kg.
difference is that energy to the piston is This study demonstrates how solid waste
transmitted from an electric motor via a high- from tanneries may be used to make fuel
briquettes, a renewable energy source. It is

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 Sam Obu C.V et.al. Production of fuel briquettes from a blend of corncob and rice husk

more inexpensive, cost-effective, and mass loss during abrasion testing and 10%
environmentally benign than fossil fuel. mass loss during shattering tests. Compared
The "Characterization and Production of to loose corn cobs, they only absorbed 36%
Banana Crop and Rice Processing Waste as much water. A statistical examination of
Briquettes" focus of Maia et al. (2017). the study's findings revealed that adding
Banana leaves, pseudostem, rice husk, High flour and water was necessary for acceptable
Heating Value (HHV), Thermo Gravimetric briquette strength but that doing so
Analysis (TGA), and Differential Scanning drastically decreased the green and relaxed
Calorimetry were prepared and analyzed, densities. It was noted that the source of the
according to the report (DSC). In a hydraulic biomass had a considerable impact on
press operating at 18 MPa for one second, densification, highlighting the significance
samples were prepared and compressed into of comprehending the variables causing
briquettes. The same studies employed in biomass variability.
waste and mechanical compressive strength The "Production and Characterization of
were utilized to characterize the final Hybrid Briquettes from Biomass" was the
briquettes. Notably, the briquettes released focus of Imoisili et al. (2014). The study
the most energy when burned at temperatures aimed to produce and characterize hybrid
lower than the garbage. The energy output biomass briquettes utilizing sorghum dust,
from the rice husks and their briquettes was albiziazygia sawdust, and cassava starch as a
less than other garbage. The waste's HHV binder. The physical and mechanical
ranged between 15 and 18 MJ/kg. The rice characteristics of the sawdust/sorghum dust
husk's HHV increased due to the waste being hybrid briquette were assessed using tests for
compacted, and the briquettes had the moisture content, compressive strength, ash
maximum compressive strength, measuring content, calorific value, and burning
19 MPa. The banana leaves offered the finest efficiency. Five different compositions of the
features, qualities, and potential for hybrid briquette were created. The study's
producing energy as briquettes among the test results revealed that the moisture content
three waste samples that were examined. could range from 6.83 to 29.70%. The
A study on "Effects of operating variables on compressive load at break can be anywhere
the durability of fuel briquettes from rice between 4.94 and 15.18 kN, the ash content
husks and maize cobs" was undertaken by can be anywhere between 2.85 and 17.14 per
Muazu and Stegemann in 2015. The study cent, and the calorific value can be anywhere
provided fresh evidence to demonstrate that between 3.83 and 10.43 MJ/kg. The burning
mixing various types of biomass enhances efficiency can range from 1.57 to 6.63%.
the qualities of densified biomass briquettes. Aia et al. (2014) worked on the Production
A factorial experiment was used to examine and Characterization of Fuel Briquettes from
the effects of sample batch (biomass source), Banana Leaves Waste. They pointed out that
material ratio (rice husks to corn cobs), growing bananas produce a lot of trash, some
binder addition (starch and water mixture), of which can be utilized for briquetting. In
and compaction pressure on briquette their research, semi-dried banana leaf
qualities. The briquettes were stronger than fragments were crushed between 2 and 5 mm
briquettes made from separate ingredients in size, and their moisture content was
and had a unit density of up to 1.9 times that calculated. The briquettes were made in a
of loose biomass. An unconfined hydraulic press using two compressing times
compressive strength of 176 kPa was and a compaction pressure of 18 MPa. The
obtained for a 3:7 blend of rice husks to briquettes were then tested for bulk and
maize cobs with 10% binder at a compaction energy density, linear shrinkage, mechanical
pressure of 31 MPa by taking average values compressive strength, high heating value
from two biomass sources into consideration. (HHV), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA),
These briquettes were strong, with only 4% and differential thermal analysis (DTA).

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 Sam Obu C.V et.al. Production of fuel briquettes from a blend of corncob and rice husk

They stated that the banana leaf briquettes and pseudostem) for briquette manufacture
had a moisture content of 7.2%, a high were provided in the study. Chemical
carbon (44.3%) and volatile matter (75.3%), analysis, high heating value (HHV),
a low amount of sulphur and nitrogen, and an thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and
HHV of 17.7 MJ/kg. These outcomes hold differential thermal analysis were used to
for other biomass that is used to make analyze the wastes and briquettes (DTA).
briquettes. The briquettes demonstrated The briquettes' mechanical compressive
considerable mass loss during combustion in strength was also assessed. The wastes for
TGA and DTA analyses, with maximal briquetting must have a moisture level of
energy release occurring between 200 and between 8 and 15%. The carbon levels of the
500 degrees Celsius. The banana leaf pseudostem and banana leaves were 43.28
briquettes' thermal qualities and per cent and 38.92 per cent, respectively. The
physicochemical traits show how useful they HHV of the pseudostem was about 13.70
could be as a biomass fuel source. MJ/kg, but the HHV of the leaves was
"Production and Characterization of roughly 17.10 MJ/kg. Under burning, the
Briquette Charcoal from Carbonization of wastes released the most energy at around
Agro-Waste" was the focus of Zubairu and 580 °C, while briquettes did so at 300 °C.
Gana's (2014) research. Four distinct types of The compressive strengths of the pseudostem
charcoal briquettes were made from and leaf briquettes were 15 MPa and 5.3
corncobs carbonized in a metal kiln and MPa, respectively. These wastes are viable
bound with tapioca starch. The bulk density candidates for making briquettes for fuel in
ranged from 425.6 to 358.3 kg/m2, the fixed several applications based on their thermal
carbon content was found to range from properties and physicochemical traits.
72.776 to 81.884 per cent, the ash content for The effects of some processing parameters
the briquette grades was 21.38 to 11.49 per on the physical and densification
cent, the moisture content was 5.88 to 6.63 characteristics of corncob briquettes were
per cent, and the fixed carbon content ranged studied by Oladeji and Enweremadu in 2012.
from 72.776 to 81.884 per cent. The The study looked at how corncob briquettes'
characteristics of the created briquette physical and combustion properties were
charcoal were then contrasted with those of affected by processing variables such as
wood charcoal and sugarcane bagasse. Due compaction pressure, % binder ratio, and
to its higher fixed carbon content and bulk particle size. At a moisture level of 10.96 dry
density compared to both wood charcoal and bases, corncobs were gathered from a farm
sugarcane bagasse, briquette charcoal was dump, reduced, and sieved into S1, S2, and
determined to be a better fuel. The corncob S3 particle sizes. The average moisture level
briquettes' moisture level was higher than of the corncob residue was 9.64 per cent,
that of wood charcoal but lower than that of compared to 7.46 per cent for relaxed
sugarcane bagasse. Additionally, it was briquettes. It was discovered that the relaxed
discovered that compared to all five charcoal briquettes' bulk density, which is 315 kg/m3,
grades produced, sugarcane bagasse and is greater than the leftover materials, which
wood charcoal had lower ash contents (4.33 is 50.32 kg/m3. This resulted in a volume
per cent and 9.80 per cent, respectively). The reduction of 626 per cent. The range of the
mean calorific value of the briquette charcoal compaction ratio was 2.27 to 6.50. Binder
was 32.4 MJ/kg, which was significantly ratio B1 (20%), particle size S3 (0.60 mm),
greater than the values for bagasse (23.4 and pressure P3 (6.6 MPa) showed the best
MJ/kg) and wood charcoal (8.27 MJ/kg). results for the three processing parameters
A study on "Use of Banana Culture Waste to examined.
Produce Briquettes" was done in 2013 by Material preparation
Selin et al. The preparation procedures and The systematic methodology used in this
characterization of banana wastes (leaves investigation included sample collection and

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 Sam Obu C.V et.al. Production of fuel briquettes from a blend of corncob and rice husk

sorting, preliminary sample characterization, calorific value was used to calibrate the
sample pulverization, and sieve analysis, bomb calorimeter.
briquette manufacture, burning, and
Galvanometer deflection× calibration constant
physicomechanical characterization. Q= (1)
original weight of sample

Preliminary characterization of the raw Pulverization and sieve analysis of

samples biomass feedstock
Both the University of Ilorin Central The biomass samples were crushed using a
Research Laboratory and the Integrated locally grinding machine and screened to 0.2,
Research Laboratory, Tanke, Oke-Odo, 0.6, 1.0, and 1.4 mm particle sizes at the Soil
Ilorin, Kwara State, conducted preliminary Laboratory of the Department of Civil
characterization. The raw samples' volatile Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin,
matter, moisture content, ash content, fixed Kwara State.
carbon content, and higher heating value
were all identified. The ASTM standard Briquette production
E871-82 (1998) was used to calculate the The materials were thoroughly mixed before
moisture content. The samples of crushed being ground up to create blended briquettes.
biomass were repeatedly oven-dried at 103 The ratios of corn cob to rice husk used to
±1 °C until a consistent mass was attained. make the mixture were 80:20, 70:30, 60:40,
The moisture content was then calculated and 50:50. A mixture of 130ml of starch and
using a change mas after 24 hours. The 180ml of distilled water was gelatinized by
percentage of the volatile matter was the addition of 270 ml of boiling water to
calculated following ASTM standard create a starch gel, which was then employed
D3175-11 (2013). It was calculated as the as the binder (Ajimotakan et al., 2019). 15%
weight percentage of gas released from the of the weight of each mix was made up of the
sample following heating to 950°C in an gelatinized binder. Afterwards, a mixer was
atmosphere devoid of oxygen, after draining used to combine the prepared corncob and
off the moisture content that turned to water rice husk mixtures with the starch gel binder.
vapour throughout the process. The ASTM After that, the feedstock was placed into a
standard D3174-12 (2013) was used to ready mould. The feedstock was densified
determine the percentage ash content (AC). using a 40 MPa hydraulic jack machine
The material was ground into a powder, (Patent No. NG/P/2022/194) at Ilorin,
weighed, and then burned for an hour at Nigeria. Each briquette had a 120-second
500°C to 750°C. The percentage of ash dwell time., which was positioned between
content was calculated by comparing the the machine's compressive plates, and the
weight of the sample after combustion to its piston was manually lowered onto them to
initial weight. The amount of non-volatile apply the proper amount of force to the
carbon still present in the sample, as defined aggregates. At compaction pressures of
by ASTM standard D3172-07 (2013), was 5MPa, briquettes were created. After raising
used to calculate the percentage of fixed the piston, the briquette was finally
carbon (FC). It is calculated as the percentage discharged from the mould. The samples of
of the material that was lost during the testing briquettes were then exposed to the sun for
of the moisture, volatile matter, and ash 14 days to dry out any remaining moisture.
content. The sample's higher heating value The corncob feedstock, Rice husk feedstock,
(HHV) was determined according to ASTM and the samples of fuel briquettes produced
standard D5865-10a (2013) to be the quantity from a blend of corncob and rice husk are
of heat released from the sample during the shown in Figures 1-3 respectively.
test in a ballistic bomb calorimeter. A
standard sample of Benzoic acid of known

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 Sam Obu C.V et.al. Production of fuel briquettes from a blend of corncob and rice husk

Figure 1: Corn cob feedstock

Figure 2: Rice husk feedstock

Figure 3: The samples of fuel briquettes produced from a blend of corncob and rice husk

Physico-mechanical analysis of the Shattering index

briquette samples This was measured by repeatedly dropping
Density briquette samples onto a solid foundation
A digital weighing scale and a Vernier from a specific height of 1.85 m (Odusote &
calliper were used to measure the mass and Muraina, 2017). As a measure of briquette
dimensions of samples shortly after the breakability, the percentage of the briquette
briquettes were made to calculate the that was retained was used. The ultimate
compacted density. After the briquettes had weight of the created briquette after the drops
been sun-dried for two weeks, the relaxed is compared to the original weight to get the
density was calculated using ISO standard percentage shattering index.
3131. (1975).
Shattering index =
mass weight of briquette in plate after 4 drops
Density = (9) × 100% (11)
volume the initial weight of sample

Volume = πhR2 (10) Water Resistance Capacity

The amount of time it took for the briquettes
where h is the height of the briquette,
R is the external radius of the briquette to collapse after being submerged in a

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container was used to calculate their water compressive strength of the briquettes was
resistance capacity. measured as the greatest stress for each trial.
Three tests were conducted, and the average
Water resistance capacity = was then reported.
Time taken in seconds for briquette to collapse in water
(12)
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Physicomechanical characteristics
Drop to fracture
Green density
By dropping a sample of the fuel briquettes
The impact of the blending ratio and particle
from a height of 1.8 meters, the drop to
size on the green density of the resulting
fracture was calculated. Samples of
briquettes is depicted in Figure 4. The
briquettes were dropped repeatedly until they
densities of the compressed materials ranged
broke. The drop to fracture was the total
from 1.33 g/cm3 to 2.1 g/cm3. The crushed
number of drops necessary for the briquettes
density of a briquette formed from 1.4 mm
to break.
particle size was the lowest at 1.33 g/cm3,
and the highest was 2.1 g/cm3 for a briquette
Compressive strength
made from 0.2 mm particle size. Figure 4
The compressive strength is assessed using a
shows that an increase in the proportion of
Universal Testing Machine (Model:
rice husk causes the compressed density to
FS5080). Following the ASTM standard
rise. This might be related to the different
procedure, this test was carried out at the
bulk densities of the raw materials used to
Mechanical Engineering Department of the
make the briquettes; rice husk had the highest
University of Ilorin in Nigeria (ASTM
bulk density (Oladeji, 2015). Additionally, as
D2166-85, 2008). Twenty-one days after
the particle sizes of the briquette samples
drying, the compressive strength experiment
were reduced, the green density rose.
was carried out. In doing so, the briquettes
will be able to develop their full strength. The

2.5
Green density (g/cm3)

1.5 1.4

1 1
0.6
0.5
0.2
0
80CC:20RH 70CC:30RH 60CC:40RH 50CC:50RH
Blending ratio

Figure 4: Effect of blending ratio and particle size on compressed

relaxed density was likewise found to be

lower than the comparable green density.
Relaxed density The loss of surface water during the drying
According to Figure 5, relaxed density rises process may explain this. Similar patterns
as the fraction of rice husk and particle sizes may be seen in the fluctuations of the relaxed
decrease. This finding was consistent with density and the green density.
the study by Ajimotokan et al. (2019). The

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 Sam Obu C.V et.al. Production of fuel briquettes from a blend of corncob and rice husk

Relaxed density (g/cm3)

0.8

0.6 1.4
0.4 1

0.2 0.6
0.2
0
80CC:20RH 70CC:30RH 60CC:40RH 50CC:50RH
Blending ratio

Figure 5: Effect of variations of mixing ratios and particle size on relaxed density

Shatter index intermolecular bonds between the briquette's

Figure 6 illustrates how particle size smaller particles. It was found that the
variation and blending ratio affect the shattering index fell as the proportion of rice
briquettes' ability to fracture. Particle size husk in the blends rose. This suggests that a
was found to have a significant impact on the rice husk is less resilient than a corncob. This
briquettes' shattering index, ranging from indicates that corncobs have a significant
44.51 to 99.85%. The shattering index impact on enhancing the fuel briquettes'
increased when particle size decreased. This shatter index feature.
is caused by the cohesive forces and

120
100
Shatter index (%)

80
60 80CC:20RH
40 70CC:30RH
60CC:40RH
20 50CC:50RH
0
0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50
Particle size (mm)

Figure 6: Effect of variations in compaction pressure on the shattering index of briquettes produced

Water resistance extended water resistance capability (11.9

The impact of the blending ratio and particle minutes). The findings demonstrate that
size on the ability of the resulting briquettes increasing the rice husk in the mix increases
to resist water is depicted in Figure 7. The the blend's ability to repel water. Because the
time underwater ranged from 11.9 to 4.9 rice husk particles are entangled, there is less
minutes. The 50CC:50RH briquette with 0.2 pore space between them, which limits water
mm particle size exhibited the most absorption and percolation.

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 Sam Obu C.V et.al. Production of fuel briquettes from a blend of corncob and rice husk

15

Water resistanse
(Minutes)
10
80CC:20RH
70CC:30RH
5
60CC:40RH
0 50CC:50RH
0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50
Particle size (mm)

Figure 7: Effect of variations in compaction pressure on water resistance capacity of briquettes produced

Drop to fracture particle size of the briquettes decreases.

The briquettes' capacity to withstand impact Lesser pore gaps, stronger intermolecular
forces is measured by their drop to a fracture. bonding, and high interlocking and cohesive
Figure 8 illustrates how particle size and strength are characteristics of the smaller
blending ratio change as a drop approaches briquette particles. These are a reaction to the
fracture. The briquettes' drop to fracture rate greater drop-to-fracture characteristics
ranges from 2 to 13 times. The percentage of observed with the briquette output in this
rice rusk in the mix that causes the drop to study.
fracture to increase also increases when the

14
Number of drop (Times)

12
10 50CC:50RH
60CC:40RH
8 70CC:30RH
6 80CC:20RH
4
2
0
1.4 1 0.6 0.2
Particle size (mm)
Figure 8: Variation of particle size and blending ratio with a drop to fracture

Compressive strength 4.8, sample grain size plays a significant role

Strength is a significant factor that enhances in the strength of blended briquettes. As the
the longevity of briquettes. According to the particle size decreases, the briquette's
findings in Figure 9, briquette blends with strength rises. This suggests that the finer the
0.2 mm particle size, 80:20 (corncob: rice briquette particle, the smaller the pore spaces
husk) mixing ratio, and 82 kN/m2 between the particles, and the more tightly
compressive strength had the most the particles interlock, increasing the
outstanding results. Compared to the results briquette's strength. Additionally, it was
published by Ajimotokan et al., the current shown that as the amount of rice husk in the
study exhibits poor compressive strength mixture increases, the strength of the
characteristics (2019) 111 kN/m2 is used. briquette decreases. This demonstrates how
The type of the material and the briquette- the corncob was essential in increasing the
making process may be to blame for the compressive strength of the blended
variation. Additionally, as shown in Figure briquette.

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 Sam Obu C.V et.al. Production of fuel briquettes from a blend of corncob and rice husk

300

Compressive strength
250
200

(kN/m2)
0.2
150
0.6
100
50 1
0 1.4
80CC:20RH 70CC:30RH 60CC:40RH 50CC:50RH
Blending ratio

Figure 9: Variation of particle size and blending ratio with compressive strength

CONCLUSIONS Research and Innovation Unit of the Federal

Rice husk and corncob residues, which are Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria.
produced in large quantities and carelessly
disposed of in Nigeria, can be used to make Conflict of Interest: None
low-cost fuel briquettes that will satisfy the
public's need for energy while reducing the Source of Funding: None
harmful effects of charcoal production. The
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durability of fuel briquettes from rice husks https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20220917

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