AGGLOMERATION OF WOOD DUST AND CHARCOAL POWDER FOR SOLID FUEL PRODUCTION

BY

ENGR. IMURAN ABDUL-MAJEED SAKELE

2018

ABSTRACT

Other sources of energy that is environmental friendly and also cheaper is needed as an emerging trend in growing environmental concerns, particularly climate changes resulting from the use of some of the common fossil fuel used in heat boilers and manufacturing plant. To achieve this objective, a solid fuel known as briquette was produced with the agglomeration of wood dust obtained from sawmill waste, charcoal powder and binder. Wood dust was gotten from sawmill waste, Charcoal was grinded using a mortar and sieved with a 30-50um mesh sieve size. Aqueous starch, solutions which serve as binder was also made available. The formulated Charcoal and wood dust was mixed with the aqueous solution of starch. The procedures include agglomeration of the materials to obtain the required stiffness and curing by heating in air atmosphere. After heating, a solid fuel was obtained and the physico-chemical properties of raw materials and charcoal pellets was determined. Compatibility test and crushing test were carried out. A biomass briquette which serves as a replacement for fossil fuel which can be used in developing countries was obtained. This helps to eliminate indiscriminate disposal of sawdust and charcoal dust, to reduce air pollution, to create more jobs and to serve as alternative source of fuel for domestic and industrial purposes.