Physical and Combustion Indices of Thermally Treated Cornhusk and Sawdust Briquettes for Heating Applications in Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This study focuses on the physical and combustion indices of briquettes produced from thermally treated cornhusk (CH) and sawdust (SD) through torrefaction. The raw and torrefied feedstocks were combined at different blending ratios and then preconditioned with 10% moisture content. The highest value of density, shatter index, and compressive strength was obtained at 90/10 (CH/SD) ratio. The calorific value and fixed carbon of the torrefied briquettes increased between 37.56–42.42% and 42.90–49.75% over the raw briquettes while the volatile matter decreased by 26.88–38.57%. Moreover, the combustion indices show the briquettes from these feedstock blends are suitable to replace coal. Briquettes from torrefied cornhusk and sawdust could serve as an alternative fuel for domestic and industrial heating applications in Nigeria.

摘要

研究了高温处理后的玉米壳和锯末经高温处理后的煤球的物理和燃烧指标. 将原料与焙烧后的原料按不同的配比混合，再以10%的含水率进行预处理. 在90/10 (CH/SD)比下，密度、破碎指数和抗压强度最高. 烧成煤球的发热量和固定碳含量比未烧成煤球提高了37.56-42.42%和42.90-49.75%，挥发分下降了26.88-38.57%. 此外，燃烧指数表明，从这些原料混合物的煤球是适合取代煤炭. 在尼日利亚，玉米饼和木屑可以作为家庭和工业加热的替代燃料.

KEYWORDS:

• Cornhusk
• briquette
• torrefaction
• density
• combustion indices
• coal

关键词:

• 玉米的外壳
• 团块
• 干燥
• 密度
• 燃烧指标
• 煤炭

Disclosure statement

The authors reported no potential conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The authors are grateful for the financial support from the World Bank through the Africa Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.