Microbial Formulation of Bio-Briquettes Using Lignocellulosic and Floral Biomass

Abstract

Considering the cost of fuel, it is the need of the hour for the utilization of waste as a fuel source. Leaf litter waste and floral waste biomass present in the surrounding serve as potential materials in bio-briquettes formulation. Leaf litter wastes (Almond leaves, Ashoka leaves, Cluster fig leaves), and floral wastes such as (Marigold, Tuberose, and Rose) was used for the study. The waste was microbially treated usingLactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014 and Lactobacillus brevis ATCC 14869 for rapid decomposition of wastes. The briquettes were formulated using wet briquetting, manual pressure, and cylindrical mould methods. Paper pulp along with wheat bran at a 35:5 ratio was used as an artificial binding agent. The preliminary analysis includes the contents of moisture, volatile matter, ash, fixed carbon, etc. Bio briquettes were ultimately analyzed by FESEM, FT-IR, TGA, Density, and Calorific values. Comparisons were done using untreated lignocellulosic biomass-based briquettes and commercially available briquettes. Briquettes made from waste that has undergone microbial processing have a calorific value of 5968.20w kJ/Kg, a density of 0.26 kg/cm3, 8.4% moisture content, 10% volatile matter content, 13.65% ash content, 67.95% fixed carbon content, a maximum burning time of 17 minutes, and a minimum ignition time of 3 minutes. While the briquettes made from untreated waste have calorific value of 4205.10 kJ/Kg, density of 0.20 kg/cm3, 10.8% moisture content, 15% volatile matter content, 15.11% ash content, 59.05% fixed carbon content. This comparative study shows microbially treated bio briquettes can offer good agriculture waste management and new fuel opportunities.