Production and characterization of briquette from the activated charcoal of corncob

Abstract

The briquettes made of activated charcoal of corncob (Zea mays,L) have been produced and characterized. The charcoal powder was firstly sieved by a 80-mesh strainer for grain homogenization. Then, it was activated at two different temperatures i.e. 550°C for 30 minutes, and 650°C for 20 minutes by using the electric furnace. The activated charcoals powder were mixed with sago powder as an adhesive agent with mass ratio of 9:1 and under stirring condition using the hot water. In other to investigate effect of compaction pressure, then it was transferred into a cylindrical mould with diameter of 4 cm and pressed at different pressure: 70.33 kg/cm2, 94.22 kg/cm2, and 117.78 kg/cm2. After drying process at temperature of 60°C for 48 hours, the characteristic of the briquettes were investigated. The average density are ranging from 0.40 to 0.64 g/cm3, the moisture content 3.75% to 0.53%, and the ash content 5.03% to 6.97%. The volatile matter varies from 10.06% and 17.37%, consequently the fixed carbon changes from 74.81% to 82.21%. The highest caloric energy produced by the briquette is at the level of 6784.82 cal/gr were achieved at processing temperature of 550°C, and pressure of 117.78 kg/cm2. This quality is appropriate for industrial standard of processing briquette.