Production of Fuel Briquettes from a Blend of Corncob and Rice Husk

Abstract

The main subjects of this study were the production of briquettes made from a mixture of corncob and rice husk. The calorific value of the manufactured briquettes and proximal and ultimate analyses were used to evaluate their combustion characteristics. The manufactured fuel briquette's ash, moisture, volatile matter, and fixed carbon content varied from 2.99 to 14.28, 4.24 to 14.99, 59.7 to 71.39, and 9.50 to 21.38, respectively. Its calorific value ranges from 11.98 to 15.55 MJ/kg. The maximum compressed density (2.1 g/cm3), relaxed density (0.82 g/cm3), shattering index (99.53%), and water resistance capacity (11.9 minutes) were found in maize cob briquettes with 0.2 mm particle size. Briquettes made from a mixture of rice husk and corn cob can be used as a source of cooking fuel and in small businesses like bakeries. Keywords: Agricultural waste, fuel briquettes, corncob, rice husk