Physical and Thermal Properties of Briquette Fuels from Rice Straw and Sugarcane Leaves by Mixing Molasses

The physical and thermal properties of the briquette were determined by varying rice straw and sugarcane leaves ratios of 100:0, 80:20, 50:50, 20:80 and 0:100 using molasses as the binding agent. The briquette-molasses to binder ratio of 100:50 was used. Ultimate and proximate analyses were carried out to determine the average composition of their constituents. The physical properties studied included species density, compressive strength and moisture content. Fuel properties were determined using standard laboratory methods. The result was indicated that the density, high heating value, and compressive strength were also tested. Results showed that fixed carbon was 9.06-13.63%, volatile matter was 68.14-74.67%, ash content was 7.84-12.85%, and moisture content was 4.2-6.2%. Results from ultimate analysis showed that the content of C H O N S was follows; 38.6-43.2%, 5.4-6.2%, 34.5-36.4%, 0.27-0.44% and 0.02-0.04%. The high heating value was in the range of 16.3-17.83MJ/kg. The density was in the range of 0.53-0.58kg/m(3). The compressive strength was in the range of 32.4-44.7 kg/cm(2). The briquette from rice straw:sugarcane leaves had optimum ratio at the ratio 50:50. The thermal properties and physicochemical characteristics of these wastes demonstrated that they are potential candidates to produce briquettes as fuel in several applications. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.