PRODUCTION AND EVALUATION OF CHARCOAL FINES BRIQUETTES COMPRESSED WITH CELLULOSIC WASTE FROM PAPER AND PULP INDUSTRY

This study aimed to evaluate briquettes produced from charcoal fines compressed with cellulosic residue generated in settling of the effluents from pulp and paper industry. The following treatments were performed: briquettes produced with charcoal fines and cellulosic residue in a ratio of 25% (T-1), 30% (T-2), 35% (T-3), 40% (T-4), 45% (T-5) and briquettes produced with charcoal fines, 10% starch and cellulosic residue in a ratio of 0% (T-6), 5% (T-7), 10% (T-8), 15% (T-9), 20% (T-10) and 25% (T-11). Briquettes characterization was performed using immediate chemical analyses, determination of gross calorific value, apparent density and evaluation of their mechanical resistance after drying the briquettes in a kiln or outdoors. It was observed that briquettes with cellulosic residue and starch in their composition showed higher density and mechanical resistance to compression, thus concluding that the presence of starch favors briquettes compression and stability. It was also observed that the drying process in a kiln impaired the quality of the briquettes, so that the drying process outdoors resulted in more stable and resistant briquettes.