Evaluation of briquettes made from textile industry solid waste

The biosludge was mixed with cotton textile industry residues in ratios of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% and briquettes were manufactured in a lab-scale machine at three compaction pressures 6205, 8274 and 10342 kPa. The heating value, chemical characteristic, density, resistance to compression and hygroscopic moisture equilibrium were analyzed. The compaction pressure of 6205 kPa proved ideal for the briquetting process in the laboratory scale because in this pressure the briquettes had the higher percentages of fixed carbon, high heating value and compressive strength, and the lowest ash content. Pressure had no effect on density and hygroscopic equilibrium moisture content of the briquettes. The best mixing proportion between the two residues was 25% of sludge because, with this percentage, it is possible to obtain briquettes with high contents of volatile matter, fixed carbon, higher heating value, density and compressive strength, and lower ash content and hygroscopic equilibrium moisture. It was possible to conclude that the mixing of residues for the production of briquettes can optimize their physical-chemical and mechanical characteristics depending on the mixing ratio used. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.