Evaluation and Analysis of Coffee Husk and Coco Peat Briquettes as Biomass Fuel

Abstract

The study evaluated and analysed the calorific values, burning rate, ignition rate, volatile matter, fixed carbon, ash and moisture contents of briquettes made of coffee husk, cocopeat, and their mixture, and briquettes needed to boil 1L water and strength of briquettes. Results revealed that coffee husk briquette (T1) had highest calorific value of 3,919.36cal/g, cocopeat briquette (T2) had lowest ash content of 5.79%. Lowest moisture content found in mixture (T3) with 10.45% and lowest fixed carbon content was cocopeat with 17.28%. Test results on volatile matter, T2 had highest with 76.93%, in burning rate T1 had lowest with 6.61g/min. Results in specific fuel consumption T1 had lowest value of 0.2116kg/liter. T1 had fastest ignition rate with 0.03130mm/s compared to other treatments. Boiling test found T1 briquettes had fastest boiling time of 10.67min to reach maximum temperature of 376.95ºC. Results on strength revealed that T2 had highest strong point of force and stress with 22.8645kgf. Overall results showed that ash content, fixed carbon, volatile matter, strength, burning rate, specific fuel consumption, briquettes needed to boil 1L of water and ignition rate revealed significant differences among treatments while calorific values and moisture content showed no significant difference. Results revealed that T1 had best fuel properties among others, in terms of calorific value, fixed carbon, volatile matter, and burning rate. T1 had least briquettes used to boil 1L water. Among the treatments, T2 endured greatest amount of force thus strongest. Briquettes from mixture of coffee husks and coco peat had lowest moisture content.