Application of the Simplex-Centroid Mixture Design to Biomass Charcoal Powder Formulation Ratio for Biomass Charcoal Briquettes

Abstract

This study aims to increase the quality and value of raw materials with a low higher heating value, HHV (secondary ingredients), but which is abundantly available throughout the year by mixing it with high HHV materials (main ingredients) to obtain quality and standardized charcoal products in accordance with the industrial product standards as approved for commercial use. As for the ingredients, charcoal A is Eucalyptus bark coal (EuBC) with an average HHV of 3779.98 cal/g, charcoal B is rice husk coal (RHC) with an average HHV of 4863.29 cal/g, and charcoal C is charcoal from a biomass power plant (CBPP) with an average HHV of 5991.18 cal/g. The results from the simplex-centroid mixture design method allowed increased quality and value of the biomass charcoal powder (raw material) that has a low heating value but is sufficiently available throughout the year due to the mixing of secondary ingredients with raw materials that have a high heating value (main ingredient). The charcoal briquettes production must be qualified and meet the industrial product standards, and be approved for commercial use.

Opportunities, challenges and the way forward for biomass briquettes in Tanzania

“…This outcome has already been a source of wide concern among users in terms of wasting time and money (Dalkhsuren et al, 2023). While using charcoal dust as briquette feedstock has been widely adopted (Hwangdee et al, 2022), this practice can equally accelerate tree cutting and undermine the environmental bene ts of briquette production (Njenga et al, 2014). However, with proper handling of feedstock and optimization of the carbonization process, ash content can be signi cantly reduced to the recommended level .…”

The characteristics and emissions of low-pressure densified torrefied elephant dung fuel briquette

“…A fascinating solution to the problem of managing the copious amounts of elephant dung generated in camps involves converting it into fuel briquettes, boosting their energy density (Hwangdee et al 2022) and potentially increasing their value, thus replacing traditional fuels like wood and charcoal. In 2011, Mathews & Thadathil studied the use of elephant dung as solid fuel and produced fuel briquettes using shorter fibers obtained from washed elephant dung with a high heating value (HHV) of over 17 MJ/kg.…”