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COMBUSTION PROPERTIES OF BRIQUETTES PRODUCED FROM MAIZE COB

OF DIFFERENT PARTICLE SIZES.

Adetogun, A.C, Ogunjobi, K.M and Are, D.B

Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management,

Federal University of Agriculture,
Abeokuta, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Maize cobs sieved into three different mesh sizes of 2.36mm, 4.75mm, and 6.36mm
were densified into briquettes using starch as binder. Combustion related properties
namely percentage volatile matter, percentage ash content, percentage fixed carbon
and calorific or heating value of the briquettes were determined. Results showed that
different mesh sizes produced briquettes of different properties. Densities of the
briquette produced ranged from 0.15-0.27g/cm3 with particle size 2.36mm having a
percentage volatile matter of 57.82%, 4.75mm had 59.37% respectively while 6.30mm
had the highest volatile matter of 62.90. The higher the particle size the higher the
heating values which ranged from 20.93 to 24.97kj/kg. There is significant difference
(P<0.05) in the heating values of the briquette produced from the three particle sizes.
Assessment of the burning characteristics showed that briquette produced with particle
size 6.30mm gave the highest energy value (24.97) and percentage volatile (62.91%)
matter with moderate ash content.

Keywords: Briquette, maize cob, combustion properties, mesh sizes, binding agent

INTRODUCTION Enormous quantity of agricultural residues

Biomass particularly agricultural wastes and wastes are generated in Nigeria but

have become one of the most promising they are poorly utilized and badly

energy sources. The idea of utilizing the managed, since most of these wastes are

residue from agricultural sectors for left to decompose or they are burned in the

primary or secondary energy source is field resulting in environmental pollution

attractive due to their availability, and degradation (Jekayinfa and Omisakin,

indigenous and also environmental 2005). Agro-residues are waste generated

friendly nature. either at post-harvest point or after

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 COMBUSTION PROPERTIES OF BRIQUETTES PRODUCED FROM MAIZE COB OF DIFFERENT PARTICLE SIZES.
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consumption, which are indiscriminately in converting the waste to wealth.

disposed and used inefficiently thereby causing Briquetting is a process of binding together

extensive pollution and menace to the pulverized materials (such as sawdust,

environment. Agro-residues like many other groundnut shell, maize husk, bamboo and other

combustible materials are often not useable in combustible materials.) into a solid block of

the way they freely exist, due to their low compressed material under pressure, often with

density and sizes. There is need to compress the aid of a binder such as cassava starch.

these agricultural residues to briquette for a Briquetting ensures maximum utilization of

social fuel product of any convenient shape that resources such that waste is converted to wealth

can burn like wood. Its development results in a thereby contributing to socio-economic

cleaner environment through the recycle of the development. Briquettes exhibit great potentials

agricultural wastes to briquette, which solves over fuel wood in terms of heat intensity,

the country environmental problem and waste cleanliness, convenience in use and relatively

disposal (Akande, 2002). smaller space requirement for storage (Yaman et

al., 2000 and Olorunnishola, 2004). Improving

Due to the high cost and shortage of
the production technology helps in enhancing
conventional fuel such as kerosene and cooking
the potentials of the briquettes (Grover and
gas, it has become necessary to diversify the
Mishra, 1996) and this can be achieved through
energy and economic powers of individual
densification process (Ogunsanwo, 2001).
households through the use of briquettes by

reducing over-reliance on kerosene and cooking It is known that agriculture produce high rate of

gas (in urban areas). The conversion of agro waste from the harvesting of maize; maize cob

residues to briquette would reduce problem of is an example of this waste. These wastes if left

carbon dioxide pollution due to the use of unattended to can cause environmental

conventional fuels (kerosene and gas) and help

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 Adetogun, et al.
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degradation, pollution, obstruct visuals and Materials Used

bio-degradation. There is, therefore, need Maize cob which is an agricultural residue

to convert these wastes into useful was used. Cassava starch was used as

materials that will be environmental binder and a locally fabricated briquetting

friendly and cost less. Since determination mould was used to mould the briquette.

of the combustion characteristics is crucial Sample Collection

to evaluating the briquetting potential of a The maize cobs were collected from

biomass or agro- waste, this study aimed at TREFAD Farm of Federal University of

evaluating the potentials maize cob, of Agriculture, Abeokuta at disposing unit

different mesh sizes for briquette near the maize crib where the maize is

production. normally stored. The cassava starch was

MATERIALS AND METHODS also gotten from the Federal University of

Study Area Agriculture, Abeokuta premises.

This study was carried out at the Sample Preparation

The maize cob collected was dried for 7
Department of Forestry and Wildlife
days to reduce excess moisture after which
Management premises, Federal University
it was grinded, and the grinded maize cob
of Agriculture, Abeokuta. The University
was sieved into three different mesh sizes
is located at Alabata road in the North-
(2.36mm, 4.75mm, and 6.36mm)
Eastern part of the town, Abeokuta in
respectively. The sieved maize cob was
Odeda Local Government Area at latitude
par boiled and left for 24 hours to reduce
30 to 200 E to 370W. The region enjoys an
the extraneous materials with an attempt to
average annual temperature of 31.80C. It
produce a smokeless briquette. The maize
has annual rainfall of about 1300mm with
cob was again dried after which 300g of
peaks in June and July and dry season of
each particle sizes was weighed and
two to three months.

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COMBUSTION PROPERTIES OF BRIQUETTES PRODUCED FROM MAIZE COB OF DIFFERENT PARTICLE SIZES.
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mixed with 150g (2:1) of starch and Percentage Ash Content = D x 100
B
molded using the locally fabricated mould. Where D = Weight of Ash

The briquette was finally dried and And B = Weight of oven dried sample

packaged. Percentage Volatile Matter

Laboratory Analysis The volatile matter was determined by

Briquettes produced were taken to the placing 2g of pulverized briquette sample

Laboratory of Nigeria Institute of Science in a crucible oven to obtain constant

Laboratory Technology (NISLT) Ibadan weight after it was kept in the furnace at

where the burning characteristics such as; temperature of 5500C for 10minutes and

ash content, calorific value, volatile matter, brought out to be cooled in the dessicator

fixed carbon were determined. and weighed to determine the percentage

Proximate Analysis volatile matter.

Proximate analysis was carried out to Percentage Volatile Matter = B – C x 100

B
determine the following combustion Where B = weight of oven dried samples

related properties of the briquette C = weight of sample after 10minutes in

produced: the furnace at 5500C.

 Ash content Determination of Percentage Fixed

 Percentage fixed carbon Carbon

 Percentage Volatile matter This was calculated by subtracting the sum

 Gross Calorific/ Heating value of percentage volatile matters and

Determination of Percentage Ash percentage ash content from 100%

Content Percentage Fixed Carbon = 100 – (%V +

2g of oven dried briquette sample were %A)

placed in the furnace at temperature of Where %V = Percentage Volatile Matter

5500C for 4hours and weigh after cooling. And %A = Percentage Ash Content

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Heating Value 3 Factorial in a completely randomized

Heating value was calculated using the design. Mean separation was carried out

formula: by Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT).

HV = 2.326(147.6C + 144V)kj/kg This was done to know the difference

Where: between two means and to choose the best

HV = Heating Value treatment combinations for the briquettes

C = Percentage Fixed Carbon produced.

V = Percentage Volatile Matter RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The different mesh sizes produced

Determination of Briquette Density
briquettes of different properties. This was
Density is defined as mass per unit volume
an indication that mesh sizes had effects
of a sample (g/cm3). Meter balance was
on the properties. Densities of the briquette
used to determine the mass of each sample.
produced ranged from 0.15-0.27g/cm3.
For accurate readings, there were four
Table 1 revealed that briquette produced
replicates of each sample. The volume was
with particle size 2.36mm had a density of
estimated from the dimension. The length,
0.15, 4.75mm had 0.16 while 6.30mm had
breadth and height of each samples were
a density of 0.27g/cm3. This agrees with
measured and used in calculating the
Grover and Mishra, (2006) that biomass
volume (m3) which is length x breadth x
material of 6-8mm size with 10-20%
width.
powdery component gives the best result.
Density = Mass of a sample Results from ANOVA showed that there is
Volume of a sample
significant difference (P<0.05) in the
DATA ANALYSIS
density of the briquette produced (Table
The data obtained were analyzed using 3 X
2).

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Results of the proximate analysis performed on content of 1.23%. The values are lower than

the briquette produced revealed that particle values reported for various agroforestry

size 2.36mm had a percentage volatile matter residues (FAO, 2003b) The percentage ash

of 57.82%, 4.75mm had 59.37% while 6.30mm content is also lower than 2.35 and 1.63%

had the highest volatile matter of 62.91% reported for palm kernel cake (PKC) and

(Table 1). There was no significant difference sawdust and sawdust only respectively

(P>0.05) in the volatile matters of the briquette (RESTSASIA,2005) though higher than 0.7%

produced. Percentage fixed carbon of the recommended by 51731. The statistical

briquette on the other hand ranged from 5.75- analysis showed that there was no significant

8.28%. The 2.36mm briquette had a fixed difference (P>0.05) between the ash content of

carbon of 5.75%, 4.75mm had 5.62% while the briquette produced from 2.36mm, 4.75mm

6.30mm had 8.28%. Though the briquette and 6.30mm particle sizes respectively.

produced from particle size 6.30mm had the

Results from this study showed that maize cob
highest percentage fixed carbon yet there was
which is mainly regarded as a waste is very
no significant difference (P>0.05) in the
suitable for briquette production. The higher
percentage fixed carbon of the briquette
the particle size the higher the heating values.
produced from the 2.30mm, 4.75mm and
This contradicts the report of Aina et al (2007)
6.30mm particle sizes respectively.
on Cederela odorata, Terminalia superba and

The low ash content recorded for the maize cob Cordia millenii. The heating value ranged from

is of immense importance to its maximum 20.93-24.97kj/kg. Particle size 2.36mm had a

utilization. Briquette produced with particle heating value of 20.92kj/kg, 4.75mm had

size 2.36mm had the lowest ash content of 23.97kj/kg while mesh size 6.30mm had

1.06%, 6.30mm had a moderate ash content of 24.94kj/kg. The average heating value is higher

1.20% while 4.75mm had the highest ash than values (19,534Kj/Kg) recorded for

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34

briquettes from a mixture of palm kernel This will serve as a measure in curbing the

cake (PKC) and sawdust and 18,936Kj/Kg environmental hazard posed by poor

recorded for sawdust of some hardwood methods of agricultural waste disposal as

species (RETSASIA, 2005). The heating well as converting waste to wealth.

values obtained in this study compare Assessment of the burning characteristics of

favourably with those recorded for coconut briquettes produced from maize cob sieved

husk (Jekayinfa and Omisakin, 2005). It with different sizes of mesh showed that

was equally above the recommended briquette produced with particle size

standard of 17,500Kj/Kg for a material to be 6.30mm gave the highest energy value and

regarded as having adequate calorific value percentage volatile matter with moderate ash

(DIN 51731). There is significant difference content while the least energy and ash

(P<0.05) in the heating values of the content was produced by briquettes

briquette produced from the three particle produced from 2.36mm mesh size. Since the

sizes. most important fuel property is its calorific

or heating value and 6.30mm briquette gave

CONCLUSION
this, a mixture of 6.30mm and 2.36mm
Waste in terms of maize cob which is
particle sizes is advocated to enhance
generated in large quantity and disposed
maximum output.
indiscriminately can be utilized for the

production of solid fuel called briquettes.

Cordia millenii. Proc. of 2nd Biennial

REFERENCES
National Conf. of the Forest and Forest
Aina , K.S, Baiyewu,R.A, Ogunleye, M.B,
Products Society. Pp 395-500
Adegoke,I.A,Adesope, A.S. and Fatade,
Akande, J.A. (2002). Briquette Sawdust and
B.O (2007). Evaluation of Combustion
low density coal for sustainable livelihood
Properties of Briquettes Produced from
proceeding of the 28th Annual Conference
Cedrela odorata,Terminalia superba and
of FAN Abuja FCT Pp127-135.

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COMBUSTION PROPERTIES OF BRIQUETTES PRODUCED FROM MAIZE COB OF DIFFERENT PARTICLE SIZES.

36

FAO (2003b): The briquetting of Sustainable Wood Utilization in

Agriculturalwaste for fuel... FAO Nigeria. In Popoola,L. Et al
corporate document repository editors.Proc. of the 27th Annual Conf.
www.fao.org/docre/T0275E/T0275E0 Of Forestry Association of Nigeria,
3htm Abuja FCT .17-21, Sept., 2001, pp
225-234.
Grover, P.D. and Mishra, S.K. (2006) :
Biomass Briquetting : Technology Olorunnisola A.O. (2004): Briquetting of
and Practices.Regional Wood Energy Rattan Furniture Waste. Journal of
Development Programme in Bamboo and Rattans 3 (2) : 139-149.
Asia.gcp/ras/54/net,FAO Field
RETSASIA (2005): Results Earlier
Document No 46,48p.
Reported for Sawdust Briquette and
Jekayinfa, S.O. and Omisakin,O.S. (2005) Torrefied Wood.
: The Energy Potentials of some www.retsasia.ait.ac.th/publication/WR
agricultural wastes as local fuel ERC2005/RONAST-WRERC05
materials in Nigeria. Agricultural Yaman,S.M. Sahan, H. Haykiri-acma, K.
Engineering International: CIGR E- Sesen and S. Kucukbayrak (2000) :
journal of Scientific Research and Production of Fuel Briquettes from
Development Vol. VII,Manuscript EE Olive Refuse and Paper Mill Waste.
05 003:10p. Fuel Processing Technology 68:23-31

Ogunsanwo,O.Y. (2001) : Effective

Management of Wood Waste for

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 Adetogun, et al.
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Table 1: Mean of proximate analysis, heating value and density of different particle size
of briquette produced from maize cob.

Sieve size % Ash % Volatile % Fixed Heating value Density

matter carbon

2.36 1.06±0.0621a 57.82±1.8893a 5.75±2.7585a 20.92±0.6833b 0.15±0.0030b

4.75 1.23±0.0896a 59.37±1.7312a 5.62±2.7039a 23.97±0.6863a 0.16±0.0004b

6.30 1.20±0.0959a 62.91±2.3358a 8.28±2.4389a 24.97±0.3569a 0.27±0.0024a

Mean (± Standard error) with the same superscript alphabets in the same column are not
significantly different at 5% probability level

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Table 2: Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) of the combustion properties of briquettes

produced from maize cob

Parameters Sources of SS DF MS F Cal F Tab

Variation (p<0.05)

Density (kg/m3) Treatment 0.033 2 0.16 1600.00* 4.257

Error 0.001 9 0.0001

Total 0.034 11

% Volatile Treatment 54.316 2 27.193 1.096ns 4.257

matter

Error 144.268 9 16.030

Total 198.654 11

% Fixed carbon Treatment 17.994 2 8.997 0.323ns 4.257

Error 250.26 9 27.825

Total 6243.5972 11

% Ash content Treatment 0.063 2 0.032 1.125* 4.257

Error 0.253 9 0.028

Total 0.316 11

Calorific value Treatment 35.486 2 17.43 12.491* 4.257

(kcal/kg)

Error 12.784 9 1.420

Total 48.269 11

Ns = not significant at p>0.05

* = significant at p<0.05

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