The Study of Properties of Fuel Briquettes from Cotton Dust and Coconut Shell Charcoal

Abstract

  The purposes of this thesis were: (1) to study the optimum ratio between cotton dust, charcoal and coconut shell charcoal powder for forming into briquettes. (2) to study the type of starch which is  suitable as a binder for forming briquettes between tapioca starch and rice starch. (3) for a comparative study  physical properties, and fuel properties of briquettes from cotton dust and coconut shell charcoal. (4) to compare the cost of producing fuel briquettes from cotton dust and coconut shell charcoal.

The research methodology were as follows : (1) Determination of properties of coconut shell charcoal with cotton dust. (2) Optimal quantification of binders used in briquette forming. (3) Study of physical properties and fuel properties of briquettes from cotton dust and coconut shell charcoal. (4) Study of production cost per unit.

The results of this research were as follows: (1) Coconut Shell Charcoal  and cotton dust when taken for moisture content, sulfur content and heat value, it was found that both raw materials were suitable for making briquette fuels. (2) It was found that the optimum amount of binder to be used in making briquettes of both tapioca starch and rice starch were at 18 percent. All ratios tested could be molded into briquettes. But the best forming ratio is at the 90:10:18 and 70:30:18 ratios of the two binders. (3) Using tapioca starch and rice flour as binders will produce fuel  briquettes with no different in physical properties and fuel properties  It was found that the briquettes of both types of connectors that met the Community Product Standards were the ratios of 30:70:18, 90:10:18 and 0:100:18. (4) The study of production costs revealed that the cost of production would increase with the ratio of coconut shell charcoal and briquettes using rice starch as a binder, cost a litter more than tapioca starch.