FUEL PROPERTIES OF BRIQUETTE MADE FROM DEADLEAVES OF Hildegardia barteri (MAST. KOSTERM)

This paper evaluated the fuel properties of briquette made from dead leaves of Hildegardia barteri (MAST. KOSTERM). For the briquette production, 500g of the pyrolysed leaves was mixed with binder (cassava flour) varied at 20%, 25%, 30% and 35% of the weight of biomass sample. The briquette was produced using a mould (10mm diameter and 50mm height) with hydraulic press at an average pressure of 6 psi. The briquettes produced were characterised by proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, and infrared spectroscopy analysis based on the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. The results from the physical properties and proximate analysis are; bulk density (0.31±0.00 - 0.58±0.02g/cm3), water resistance (31.75±3.20 - 64.97±2.59%), moisture content (11.52±0.75 - 13.71±0.70%), Volatile matter (45.00±0.55 - 53.40±1.33%), ash content (18.40±0.51 - 23.20±0.73%), fixed carbon (21.00±0.51 - 24.20±0.81%) and Heating values (23380.76±119.52 - 26184.25±174.38 KJ/kg). The results from the ultimate analysis are; 44.23%, 6.25%, 42.09%, 1.26% and 0.21 respectively, for carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, Nitrogen and Sulphur content, while H/C and O/C gave 1.17 and 0.48, respectively. The Higher Heating Value obtained proved high thermal stability of the briquettes produced. The presence of C-O, C––C, CHx, and OH groups was noticed. The quality of the briquettes was favourably comparable to briquettes produced from other agricultural waste and sawdust and as such could serve as an alternative fuel energy source with environmental friendly features and contribute to the economic growth of the country.