Raw cassava rhizome waste as a binder in sugarcane bagasse and straw briquettes

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the cassava rhizome as a natural binder in blend briquettes from cassava rhizome, bagasse, and sugarcane straw. For this study, 20 kg of material (cassava rhizome sugarcane bagasse and straw) were dried to a moisture content closer to 12%. Six treatments were used for briquette production. Three blends and three 100% materials (without mix) were analyzed. The briquettes were produced in a lab-scale press with heating (120 ºC). The results showed that the energy index comparison varied from 6.20–8.25. The fracture limit for the resistance compressive test and the ultimate strength of the briquettes were found for B6 (100% cassava rhizome), followed by the B2 blend (75% cassava rhizome + 15% bagasse + 10% straw). Treatment B2 was the best composition for an energy source by proximate analysis. All treatments (briquettes) had a durability closer to 97%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) revealed the presence of Ca, K, and Si. The raw cassava rhizome behaves like a natural binder, and treatment B2 was the best blend for briquette production.