Physico-chemical Characteristics of Biochar Briquettes Blend of Goat Manure Charcoal, Saboak Shells and Rice Husk

Abstract

The study aimed to determine the effect of goat manure charcoal mixture, saboak shell and rice husk on the physico-chemical characteristics of biocharcoal briquettes. The completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 4 replicates was applied. Those treatments were P1 = 25% goat manure + 75% saboak shell without rice husk, P2 = 25% goat manure + 50% saboak shell + 25% rice husk, P3 = 25% goat manure + 25% saboak shell + 50% rice husk, P4 = 25% goat manure + 75% rice husk without saboak shell. Variables measured: yield, density, moisture content, ash content, volatile matter, fixed carbon and calorific value. The average data obtained were: yield 58.94%; density 0.65 g/cm3; moisture 2.42%; ash 27.41%; volatile matter 26.58%; fixed carbon 43.59%. and calorific value 4086.7 cal/ g; Statistical analysis showed that treatment had a very significant effect (P<0.01) on ash content and fixed carbon; significant effect (P<0.05) on moisture content and calorific value; and not significant (P>0.05) on yield, density and volatile matter. It was concluded that increasing the proportion of rice husk charcoal in the mixture with goat manure and saboak shell produced biochar briquettes with characteristics decreased of moisture content, fixed carbon and calorific value, increased of ash content while yield, density and volatile matter tended to be the same.