Investigation of physical and combustion properties and briquettes from cache nutshell and cassava binder

Abstract

The paper shows the results of a study on the investigation of physical and combustion propertiesof briquettes from cashew nut shell and cassava binder. Carbonization of cashew nut shell was carried out at temperatures of 250oC in a furnace. The charcoal produced after carbonization was pulverized andthe powder was used to make briquettesusing cassava pasteas the binding material. Briquettes were made with different particle sizes of 0.5mm, 1.0mm and 2.0mm. Different compaction pressures (100Kg/cm2, 200 Kg/cm2and 300 Kg/cm2) in absence andpresence of different ratios of binder (10%, 20% and 30%). The combustion and physical properties of the briquettes improved when a binder was introduced.The maximum calorific value obtained was 30.5MJ/Kg which is very close to thatof that ordinary wood charcoal 31.38MJ/kg. The results will contribute to further implementation of the Kenyan energy policy by providing an alternative to firewood.