Characterization of briquettes developed from banana peels, pineapple peels and water hyacinth

Abstract

Background: Uganda's energy needs are heavily reliant on biomass sources. This dependency of Uganda's burgeoning population on biomass for household and commercial purposes is posing pressure on natural resources such as forests. This study was carried out to investigate the utilization of some of the country's highly produced agricultural waste for the creation of biofuels.Methods: Pineapple peels, banana peels and water hyacinth were utilized for generation of both carbonized and uncarbonized briquettes. Physical properties and calorific values for the developed briquettes were determined through thermogravimetric analysis and using a bomb calorimeter.Results and conclusion: Pineapple peel carbonized briquettes had the highest calorific value (25.08 MJ/kg) followed by a composite of banana peels and pineapple peels (22.77 MJ/kg). The moisture content for briquettes ranged between 3.9 to 18.65%. Uncarbonized briquettes had higher volatile matter (ranging between 62.83 and 75.1%) than carbonized briquettes (ranging between 22.01 and 24.74%). Uncarbonized briquettes had shorter boiling time (ranging between 27 and 36 minutes for 2.5 liters) than carbonized briquettes (ranging between 26 and 41 minutes). Water hyacinth alone produced briquettes with low calorific values (16.22 MJ/kg), however, calorific values increased when mixed with banana (20.79 MJ/kg) or pineapple peels (20.55 MJ/kg). The findings reveal crucial information on how agricultural wastes might be used to augment the energy sources pool in order to protect the environment and creating social stability in the community.

Conversion of Imperata cylindrica, plastic face mask and mango peels to solid fuel briquette

“…The impact of using biomass plastic waste briquettes as fuel instead of charcoal helps minimize environmental impacts, including deforestation [4]. Biomass densification such as briquetting techniques that have been extensively analysed by academic researchers [2,5,6,7]. Previous literature focusing on coal and charcoal briquettes [8,9,10].…”

Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Agricultural-Plastic Wastes for Feasibility of Solid Fuel Briquette Production

“…For example, Hosseinzaeia et al [26] discussed a detailed characterization of slow pyrolysis fractions obtained from three major agricultural wastes with different origins and compositions at temperatures ranging from 300 to 550 • C, namely pistachio shell, bitter orange peel, and saffron petals. Mibulo et al [27] utilized pineapple peel, banana peel, and water hyacinth to render both carbonized and uncarbonized briquettes. The highest calorific value was to be found in pineapple peel carbonized briquettes (25.08 MJ kg −1 ), then followed by a composite of banana peel and pineapple peel (22.77 MJ kg −1 ).…”