Production and physical-mechanical characterization of briquettes from coconut fiber and sugarcane straw

Abstract

Biomass in a broad sense has a great energy potential. It can be densified improving the logistic and the energetic efficiency. The aim of the present work was the characterization of coconut fiber (FC) and sugarcane straw (PC) and the evaluation of mechanical properties of the briquettes produced from these materials. The samples of materials were performed to proximate analysis and high heating value (HHV) with three repetitions. Five different blends were tested with 15 repetitions for each blend: Treatment T1 (100% FC), T2 (75% FC and 25% PC), T3 (50% FC and 50% PC), T4 (25% FC and 75% PC) and T5 (100% PC). It was used particles size smaller than 0.84 mm with 12% moisture content for the briquettes production. The process was done in a hydraulic press without heating or binder. Briquette length expansion at specific time intervals was determined over a 72 hours period. The strength and friability of briquettes were measured after the production period of six days. The results showed that in the proximate analysis and HHV coconut fiber and sugarcane straw presented 74.01% and 77.50% for volatile matter, 3.71% and 5.68% for ash, 22.28% and 16.81% for fixed carbon, 18.24 MJ.kg-1 e 17.49 MJ.kg-1 for HHV, respectively. Sugarcane straw briquettes were classified as very crumbly. However, blending coconut fiber with sugarcane straw improved the quality of briquette.