Characterization of fuel briquettes from banana tree waste

This paper reports a briquetting method using the banana waste as the source of biomass fuel. To understand the storage, transportation and advantages of banana-based fuel briquettes, a study on the effects of mixing ratio to the briquette product was executed and reported. In so doing, the briquettes were subjected to several tests to analyse the characterisation of thermal, combustion and mechanical ability. The thermogravimetric analysis showed that the samples with higher ratio of banana leaves possessed the least mass residue, with the calorific value ranged from 12-22 MJ/kg. Meanwhile, the combustion analysis revealed the value for four parameters under investigation, namely, ash content (13-29%), volatile matter (71-86%), moisture content (12-19%) and dry matter basis (81-88%) where some samples were found in the standard range. For the mechanical ability, the compressive strength for all briquettes was approximately 13 MPa which is acceptable to be used for some applications according to the Standard of Briquettes for Household Heating (to TS 12055). The briquette with higher ratio of banana leaves and banana pseudostem was considered the best among the samples because it successfully fulfilled all the standard values adhering to the characterisation methods. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.