Production of Bio-Briquettes from Agricultural Waste

Abstract

This study focuses on the production and characterization of bio-briquettes using locally available agricultural residues such as rice husk, sugarcane bagasse, cotton stalk, coconut shell, groundnut shell, banana peel, corn cobs, and sawdust. The utilization of agricultural waste for briquette production offers a sustainable solution to increasing energy demand while reducing environmental pollution caused by open burning and improper disposal of biomass residues. The briquette production process involves systematic steps including collection, drying, size reduction, mixing with natural binders, compaction, drying, cooling, and quality assessment. The produced bio-briquettes were evaluated for key fuel properties such as moisture content, ash content, volatile matter, fixed carbon, density, calorific value, and combustion efficiency. The produced bio-briquettes were evaluated for key fuel properties such as moisture content (10%), ash content (6%), volatile matter (72%), fixed carbon (12%), density (231 kg/m³), and calorific value (3686 kcal/kg).  The results indicate that bio-briquettes possess good mechanical strength, satisfactory calorific value, low smoke emission, and efficient burning characteristics, making them a reliable renewable energy source. The use of agricultural residues for briquette production not only minimizes waste disposal problems but also contributes to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, rural employment generation, and energy security. Hence, bio-briquettes serve as an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable alternative to conventional fossil fuels.