DETERMINATION OF PHYSICAL AND COMBUSTION PROPERTIES OF BIO-BRIQUETTE PRODUCED FROM GROUNDNUT SHELL AND RICE HUSK AS AN ALTERNATIVE SOURCE OF DOMESTIC COOKING

Abstract

Biomass briquettes can be considered as one of the cleaned energy source compared to wood fuel understanding that clean energy in homes can be a tool to enhance human health. In this present research, bio briquette was produced from ground nut shell and rice husk. Physical and combustion properties were evaluated using standard analytical methods. The physicochemical properties of the bio briquette are 5.54±0.043, 7.65±0.048, 9.52±0.003, 11.65±0.004, 0.85±0.21, 1.81±0.29, 40.47±0.021, 45.74±0.031, 3892.73±0.151, 4984.73±0.169, for the percentage of moisture, volatile matter, ash content fixed carbon  and calorific value (kj/kg) for rice husk and groundnut shell respectively.  The combustion test observed in the both briquette produced from is as follow: no spark from rice husk briquette while spark was observed in groundnut shell briquette. No smoke emitted in both briquette, the average ignition time is was 3 minutes and 4 minutes for the both briquette respectively. Both briquettes appeared black in color; their respective density recorded was 0.81g/ml and 1.2 g/ml respectively. The water boiling time is 13 minutes 24 second and 14 minutes 34 second for rice and ground nut shell briquette. It was observed that the fuel burring time for rice husk and ground nut shell briquette was 1.95g/min and 2.05g/min. There are significance difference in the properties and combustion rate of groundnut shell and rice husk briquetted produced. therefore, the agricultural waste such rice husk and groundnut shell has proved to be an alternative cleaned energy for domestic uses.