Evaluating the Role of Feedstock Ratios and Binders in the Performance of Faecal-Derived Briquettes
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Date
2025
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MUST Journal of Research and Development
Abstract
The increasing population, demand, and high cost of domestic energy
sources such as electricity and gas have heightened reliance on
charcoal and other combustion fuels recently. This study analysed the
performance of composite briquettes produced through briquetting
processes. The briquettes were produced by different quantities of
feedstock materials with two types of binders, namely cassava starch
and paper pulp. The charred faecal sludge (FS) and sawdust (SD) were
utilised as feedstock materials in varying ratios by weight (FS:SD) as
70:30, 60:40, 50:50, 40:60 and 30:70. Feedstock materials were
densified by a cold manual press machine aided by two binder materials,
namely cassava starch and paper pulp binding materials. Briquette
performance analysis methods were deployed, including the water
boiling test, the shattering index test, the water absorption resistance
test and moisture content. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was
applied to analyse mean differences, and further, Fisher’s LSD test was
used as post hoc. Results showed that the binding materials have more
impact on fuel characteristics than the feedstock ratio. Cassava starch
binder yielded a higher calorific value (24 MJ/kg) compared to paper
pulp (13.75 MJ/kg), even though all briquettes met durability standards
(shatter resistance >50%). The high calorific value of 24 MJ/kg
briquette material was obtained from cassava binder briquettes, while
all briquette samples passed through the shatter resistance test of
above 50%. The study concluded that the use of faecal sludge-based
briquettes for domestic energy applications is viable. However, to meet
the same level of heating value as wood charcoal, one will need twice
as many briquettes as the amount of charcoal. It is further
recommended that the frequent use of briquettes should be in an open
air environment to allow air circulation and avoid any potential health
effects from air state conversions.
Description
This journal was published by MUST Journal of Research and Development in 2025