Utilization of Thermoplastic as a Binder for Producing High Quality Charred Biomass Briquettes from Agricultural Residues

The present study aims to investigate the effect of using thermoplastic (polypropylene, PP) as a binder for producing high quality charred biomass briquettes from different agricultural residues. The experiments were conducted under conditions of four different pressing temperatures (150, 200, 250 and 300 C) and three different concentrations of thermoplastic ratios (5, 10 and 15 %) with the use of three different agricultural residues (saw dust, okra stalks and corn cobs). The produced charred biomass briquette samples were evaluated in terms of combustion properties (fixed carbon, volatile matter, calorific value, ignition time and burning time), mechanical properties (compressive strength and briquettes durability) and physical properties (moisture content and bulk density). The experimental results revealed that high quality charred biomass briquettes were obtained from okra stalks under a 15 % of thermoplastic concentration ratio and 250 C pressing temperature. Under these conditions, the following indicators were achieved: 86.9 % fixed carbon, 38.9 MJ/kg calorific value, 23 min burning time, 10.8 MPa compressive strength, 94.9 % briquettes durability and 510 kg/m bulk density.