Elaboration of briquettes from by-products of african palm (Elaeis guineensis J) and rice (oryza sativa L)

Abstract

The increase of population all over the world has led to a greater demand for resources, especially food sources, influencing the agro-industrial development and the generation of by-products. Ecuador is the sixth country in the world in palm oil production, besides, its rice production is approximately 1 195 000 tons. Both industries generate 678 000 tons/year of by-products, which are underutilized and represent a disposal problem for companies, resulting in an environmental impact. Palm rachis and rice husk are composed mainly by lignin and cellulose giving it a high potential to be used as a briquette fuel. In the present work, briquettes were made from mixtures of rachis of palm and rice husk with the following compositions: 100% palm rachis; 75% palm rachis and 25% rice husk; 50% of both by-products; 25% palm rachis and 75% rice husk; and 100% rice husk. The briquettes were analyzed for friability and hardness (instrumental texture). The briquettes with the best characteristics were analyzed for caloric power. The friability varied between 0,84% and 17,86% and hardness between 11,84 N and 29,44 N, without significant differences (p<0,05). The selected treatment with the best friability and hardness (50% palm rachis and 50% rice husk) had a caloric power of 15,76 MJ/kg.