Production of briquette from biomass wastes via biomass waste binders

In many parts of developing countries, using wood as a source of energy is becoming a scarce resource. Given this, the development of a substitute fuel for wood charcoal is necessary. Densifying waste biomass into biomass briquettes can provide an alternative household solid fuel, especially in rural areas of Ethiopia. This study seeks to investigate the physicochemical properties and calorific values of briquettes produced from biomass wastes of rice husk charcoal using starch extracted from waste fruits of avocado kernel and mango kernel. Waste rice husk was collected from rural areas of North West Tigray whereas the waste fruits of mango kernel and avocado kernel were collected from Mekelle city. The rice husk was carbonized in a closed burning furnace and then crushed to around 1 mm in diameter size to form charcoal fine powder. The charcoal fine was mixed with starch binders extracted from the mango and avocado kernels to form the required briquette. The amount of starch ratio extracted from the avocado kernel was 25 % and the starch ratio extracted from the mango kernel was 18%. The heating value of briquettes produced from rice husk charcoal powder alone was less than briquettes formed by combinations of rice husk powder charcoal with starch binders extracted from mango kernel and avocado kernel fruits.