Influence of Species, Particle Size and Compacting Pressure on Impact Resistance Index and Water Resistance of Fuel Briquettes | Chapter 04 | Advances in Applied Science and Technology Vol. 6
The desirable characteristics of fuel
briquettes are that they remain solid until they have served their function and
also performed well as a fuel. The first aspect which is related to its
physical and mechanical properties is mainly a function of the quality of the
densification process for a given raw material. This paper reports the findings
of a study on the effect of species, particle size and compacting pressure on
impact resistance index and water resistance quality of fuel briquettes.
Briquettes were compacted at room temperature using compacting pressure levels
of 10 to 50 MPa. The briquetting process and physical properties test were
conducted using standard laboratory procedures. Results indicate that species,
compacting pressure and particle size of sawdust at 5% level of significance
have significant effect on the impact resistance index and water resistance
quality of briquettes. Additionally, compacting pressure of 40 MPa was adequate
to produce briquettes with good impact resistance index irrespective of the
species. However, briquettes produced did not have good water resistance
quality. The multiple correlation coefficient (R) and adjusted R2
for the regression model between impact resistance index of briquettes, and
species density and compacting pressure were 0.74 and 0.54 respectively.
Additionally, the multiple correlation coefficient and adjusted R2
for the regression model between water resistance quality, and species density,
particle size and compacting pressure were 0.82 and 0.67 respectively. The
above therefore suggests that even though briquettes produced from sawdust of
tropical hardwoods at room temperature using low compacting pressure have
adequate impact resistance index, they need to be protected from moisture.
Author(s) Details
Stephen Jobson Mitchual
Department of Construction
and Wood Technology Education, University of Education, Winneba, Kumasi Campus,
P.O.Box 1277, Kumasi, Ghana.
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