Development of a low-cost briquetting system utilizing agri-waste materials as a renewable energy fuel

Abstract

Briquetting is the most known and widely spread technology of materials compacting. It converts low-bulk-density materials into high-density fuel briquettes. This study investigated the viability of different agricultural wastes and animal manure as major raw materials in the briquetting process using solar power to maximize its full potential as a sustainable energy resource. It consisted of the design and development of a briquetting system, establishment of the operating conditions, performance testing, and product evaluation. Based on a series of tests conducted, a mixing speed of 600 rpm for 3 min, compressive force of 400 N, with briquetting speed of 1800 rpm in 9 s can produce twenty briquettes of 50 mm in diameter and 50 mm in length. Briquettes produced have a calorific value of 4256.12 J/kg, ash content of 2.26 %, moisture content of 19.81 %, and compressive strength of 7.6 MPa. Energy efficiency of 164.46 % indicated that the output energy equivalent is higher than the energy utilized in the production of briquettes, thus showing that the briquetting system developed is viable in the production of briquettes from agri wastes and animal manure.

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*Corresponding author

Email address: donnalyn.cabaces@g.batstate-u.edu.ph