Evaluation of Binder Effects on Sawdust-Based Briquette for its Suitability as a Heating Energy Source

The demand for alternative energy sources to replace fossil fuels has been increasing due to various reasons including environmental concerns, resource depletion, energy security, economic benefits, technological advancements, rising energy demands, and health benefits, among others. Therefore, this study examined how variation in binder type and proportion in sawdust-based briquette affect its suitability as heating energy source. Cassava and corn starches, at two different percentage proportions (20 and 25%), were used as binders for the sawdust-based briquettes. The briquettes were produced through sequential process of sawdust charring, char and binder mixing, as well as, briquetting the sawdust char using locally fabricated briquette machine. The results obtained from the briquette characterization based on green density, moisture content, and burning rate; indicated that the green density of briquette is higher with cassava starch compared to corn starch at both concentrations while briquette made with corn starch has significantly higher moisture content compared to briquette made with cassava starch. Furthermore, Briquettes with cassava starch have a higher burning rate compared to those with corn starch, though the difference is not substantial. Cassava starch briquettes tend to have higher green density, lower moisture content, and higher burning rates compared to corn starch briquettes with 25% cassava starch appear to be the most suitable for fuel because they offer higher green density (0.76 g/cm3) that provides more fuel per unit volume; lower moisture content (8.73 %) that results in more efficient burning; and a relatively moderate burning rate (0.76 g/min) that ensures sustained heat output.