Production and optimization of briquette (solid fuels) from waste biomass using industrial starch as binder

This study aims to develop an efficient means of transforming municipal solid waste and agricultural waste to produce and optimize briquettes from biomass as an alternative energy source capable of replacing fossil fuels. The project involved the production of briquettes from paper, sawdust, and charcoal, using industrial starch, and sodium hydroxide pellets as binders. The fuel briquettes were produced from paper and charcoal combination, paper, charcoal and sawdust combination, sawdust and charcoal combination, and wastepaper and sawdust combination at different amounts of binders of 100%, 120%, 140%, 160%, and 180% weight of water to the respective briquettes produced. The combustion-related properties were determined. The data obtained, and the optimization of the briquettes produced from paper, charcoal, and sawdust combinations were done using the design expert software program. From the experiment, it was seen that the briquettes made from the paper, charcoal, and sawdust combination had a better combustion capacity with heating values of 34,469.1 KJ/kg, an ash content of 7.656%, and a volatile matter content of 87% for 180% binder. Also, from the result obtained, it can be confirmed that the briquettes made from paper, charcoal, and sawdust had a higher dry density value of 985.6 g. The cost analysis and evidence from literature show that briquettes are not only a better and more reliable alternative fuel source to the high-rising conventional cooking fuel available but also reduce the problems associated with rapid deforestation environmental degradation, and pollution.