Production of Biomass Briquettes Using Coconut Husk and Male Inflorescence of Elaeis guineensis

The decreasing availability of fuel wood coupled with the increasing prices of kerosene and cooking gas in Nigeria has drawn attention on the need to consider alternative sources of energy for domestic and industrial use in the country. The study was undertaken to evaluate the combustion properties (percentage volatile matter, percentage ash content, percentage fixed carbon, heating value) of briquette produced from coconut husk and male inflorescence of Elaeis guineensis. The experiment was laid down using the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The study involves three particle sizes (2 mm each) of coconut husk, male inflorescence of oil palm tree and cassava starch used as binder. The coconut husk and male inflorescence of Elaeis guineensis were varied into (25:30:40:50:60) respectively and bound together with starch at same ratio. Proximate analysis was carried out to determine the constituent of the briquettes which include ash content, percentage fixed carbon, percentage volatile matter and experimental test to determine the heating value was also determined. All processing variables in this study were significantly different except for heating value at P>0.05. From the result of the percentage ash content, briquette produced from coconut husk, male inflorescence and starch at (20:20:60) has the least fixed carbon (6.5%) with better performance. The highest percentage volatile matter 74.6% was obtained from coconut husk, male inflorescence and starch at (20:20:60) while low fixed carbon (18.8%) was obtained from male inflorescence and starch at (60:40). In conclusion, large quantities of wastes generated in terms of coconut husk and male inflorescence which are disposed indiscriminately can be utilized to produce briquette with enhanced performance.