COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF IGNITION TIME AND WATER BOILING TEST OF COAL AND BIOMASS BRIQUETTES BLEND

Abstract

This work is aimed at comparing the ignition time and water boiling test of coal briquette blends with pennisetum purpurem (elephant grass) and imperata cylindrica (spear grass). Proximate analyses and elemental compositions of the coal and biomass were determined. Different samples of briquettes were produced by blending varying loads of the plant materials with the coal in the ratio of 0:100, 10:90, 20:80, 30:70, 4:60, 50:50, and 100:0, using cassava starch as a binder and calcium carbonate (Ca(OH)2) as a desulfurizing agent. The results of the properties tested were compared. Ignition time decrease with increase in the plant material while coal blends with pennisetum purpurem performed better. In the water boiling test determination, burning rates as well as specific fuel consumptions were also determined. There is a variation in the results obtained.