Influence of different storage conditions on the physico-mechanical properties of briquettes

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to analyze the physico-mechanical properties of briquettes under different storage conditions. The briquettes were generated from a blend containing 70% eucalyptus saw dust and 30% sugarcane bagasse. Sixty briquettes were produced at moisture content 12.5%. The briquettes were stored for 120 hours after being pressed in four environment types (4 treatments); 15 briquettes were used in each treatment, namely: Closed container (T1); Outdoor storage (T2); Storage at 40% RH (T3); and Storage at 75% RH (T4). According to the proximate analysis results, the blends presented volatile content 71.91%; fixed carbon, 21.52%; and ash content, 6.57%. The high heating value (HHV) of the blend was 18.17 MJ.kg-1. All the briquettes presented values considered satisfactory for the diametral compression effort, at mean treatment 1.10 MPa. There was no significant difference between treatments in the friability test, and the mean value 13.85% was recorded. Therefore, the RH of the environment during the packaging process changed the physico-mechanical characteristics of the briquettes. Although the storage in an environment with up to 75% RH interfered in the properties, it kept briquettes in proper conditions for use.