Evaluation of Physical and Combustion Properties of Boscia augustifolia (A. Rich) for Heating Purposes
- April 17, 2019
- Posted by: RSIS
- Category: Wood and Paper Technology
International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VI, Issue IV, April 2019 | ISSN 2321–2705
Ogunleye B.M 1, Aina K. S2, Ilutoye I. R1
1Department of Wood and Paper Technology, Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan, Nigeria
2Department of Forest Products Development and Utilization, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, Nigeria
Abstract-This study investigated physical and combustion properties of briquettes produced from Boscia augustifolia and starch. The starch powder employed as a binder was derived from processed cassava tuber. Physical parameters assessed in the study were: moisture content and density while combustion properties include: ash content, percentage fixed carbon, percentage volatile matter, and heating value. The results obtained from the assessment of the physical properties of briquettes produced from 2:1 of sawdust and starch showed the lowest mean moisture content of 27.95 % while solid wood recorded the highest density of 0.58 g/cm3. For the combustion properties, it was observed that admixture of 2:1 of sawdust and starch produced briquette with the lowest ash content of 0.48%. The results also revealed that briquette produced from 2:1 sawdust and starch had the highest mean value percentage fixed carbon, 2:1 of sawdust and starch produced briquette with the highest heating value of 13032.14 Kcal/kg and relatively high volatile matter of 86.30 %. Based on the results obtained from this study, it is recommended that briquette should be produced from sawdust of Boscia augustifolia and starch mixed together at varying proportion for improved combustion properties due to its low moisture content, low ash content, high heating value and high percentage fixing carbon.
Keywords: Sawdust, Boscia augustifolia, Briquette, Combustion, heating, starch
I. INTRODUCTION
Fuel has always being an indispensable need for man to survive; people around the world need fuel for their daily activities, in preparing for their basic daily necessities like food and water, energy is greatly required. The use of fuelwood has being in existence for many years ago and it has being paramount to the globe. Mostly, people living in the developing countries rely on generation of energy to survive and this is done through fetching of fuelwood from the forests, this predominantly occurred in the northern parts of the Sahara and sub Sahara regions. It is recently, that attention has shifted from fuelwood to the use of liquefied gas and electricity for heating and cooking. However, as the interest and demands for the use of these new products are increasing, some people in the developing countries still strongly rely on fuelwood [7]. The reason is attributed to these following; free and easy accesses to the forest, poverty level, educational standard, availability and high cost of liquefied gas and kerosene.
