Performance comparison of loose biomass briquettes produced using cow dung and cactus binders

In this work, loose biomass briquettes were produced using cow dung and cactus binders at various compaction pressures. Comparison is made of the briquettes produced using these binders with respect to their final bulk densities and moisture content. Yellow thatching grass, groundnut shells, sugar cane leaves, Mopani leaves and combinations recipe were used for briquetting. The objective was to identify a natural binder, which produces the best quality loose biomass briquettes. Results show alternating improvements between lower and higher compaction pressures on bulk densities. Briquettes with cow dung binder showed a good bulk density increment from low to high compaction pressures. At 6MPa, combined recipe had a density of 0.305 kg/m³, 0.333 kg/m³ at 12 MPa and 0.386 kg/m³ at 19 MPa. The lowest bulk density was for yellow thatching grass under 6 MPa compaction pressure but with a good increment on bulk density ranging from 0.236 kg/m³ at 6 MPa, 0.256 kg/m³ at 12 MPa and 0.285 kg/m³ at 19 MPa. Cactus briquettes were found to be insensitive to compaction pressure while pressure was found to be a critical parameter in producing quality briquettes when using cow dung binder. Cactus bonded briquettes achieved the highest bulk density of 0.375 kg/m³ on combination recipe and a maximum energy content of 16.49 MJ/kg.