This study was aimed at investigating the effects of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% load of powdered Khaya ivorensis [heartwood] on proximate analysis, elemental analysis and calorific value of coal briquette and the results were compared with that of blank samples. Ignition and combustion properties were determined using standard methods. The results for pulverized coal and powdered Khaya ivorensis showed moisture content (%) 6.8 and 12.3: ash content (%) 16.8 and 1.73: volatile matter (%) 54.70 and 82.12: fixed carbon (%) 21.7 and 3.85: calorific value (kJ/kg) 19765.55 and 16084.44 and bulk density (g/cm2) 0.83 and 0.20 respectively. The results showed the presence of SiO2, SO3, K2O, CaO, TiO2, Cr2 O3, Fe2O3 in the coal and Khaya ivorensis. The results of briquette analyses showed that porosity index, moisture content(%), volatile matter(%) increased with increase in mass load. The density (g/cm3), ash content (%), sulphur content(%) and ignition time (sec)decreased with increase in mass load while there is variation in compressive strength (N/mm2), calorific value, burning rate (kg/s) and thermal efficiency (%) as mass load increases. It was observed from the results that powdered Khaya ivorensis [heartwood] enhanced the properties of coal briquette.

This study assessed the utilization of agricultural wastes in the production of charcoal briquette blend as alternative source of energy by using mixture of waste materials. The briquettes were produced by mixing varying compositions of carbonized biomass (cassava stem charcoal) and uncarbonized biomasses (pawpaw straw and cashew leaves) at the ratios of 0:100, 20:80, 80:20 and 100:0 using cassava starch binder. Proximate analyses, elemental analysis, combustion and gas emission analysis of the briquettes were determined using standard methods. The results obtained are in the following ranges: volatile matter (47.60 to59.54%), the ash content (3.70 to 23.89%), moisture content (31.80 to 45.56%), fixed carbon (0.11 to 1.01%), calorific values (16,059 to 21,012 kJ/kg), and the amounts of fuel elements ranging from (38.6 to 64.8% carbon, and 0.1 to 1.1% Sulphur). The CO and CO2 ranged from 0.01 to 0.02 g/MJ and 0.01 to 0.28g/MJ respectively. It was observed from the results that the production of briquettes from agricultural wastes is economical because it involves conversion of waste to wealth, providing an alternative and renewable source of energy to man and at the same time minimizing the environmental nuisance which makes the environment unclean.