DEVELOPMENT OF A LOW COST BRIQUETTE MAKING MACHINE

ABSTRACT

The work focuses on the development of a low cost briquette making machine using Rice husks and Sugarcane baggase as selected materials. The realization that deforestation and wood fuel shortages are likely to become pressing problems in many countries has turned attention to other types of biomass fuel. However, rice husks and sugarcane baggasse residues are often bulky and difficult to burn which lead to this conversion technique developed. In developing this briquetting machine, mild steel was used in preference to other available materials because of its rigidity and strength to support the weight of the component parts put together, widely available, easily machined,  improved  surface  finish  and  has  low  carbon  content  of  about  0.15%  – 0.25%.The developed briquette machine is based on power screw concept technique which operates in such a way that once the electric motor is plugged into an electricity source and it is switched on, the power being transmitted by the motor drives and rotates the screw shaft of the machine through the V-belt. As the power from the electric motor drives the shaft, it forces the screw shaft to rotate and force the prepared material either sugar cane baggase or Rice husks which has been properly mixed with binder to move into the briquetting die after the compression. The moment the compressed briquette comes out of the briquetting die, it then moved to the collection tray attached to the frame of the machine for proper collection of the briquettes to avoid being scattered. In evaluating the performance of the designed machine, the rice husks and sugarcane baggase were used with starch as a binder. The machine efficiency was found to be 66%. The calorific values of rice husks briquette and sugar cane baggase briquette were found to be 18.978MJ/kg and 15.578MJ/kg respectively.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0   INTRODUCTION

1.1      Background to the Study

Briquetting can be regarded as an attempt to link up two large and complex words: that of agriculture and that of fuel supply and use.

The realization that deforestation and wood fuel shortages are likely to become pressing problems in many countries has turned attention to other types of biomass fuel. Agricultural residues are, in principle, one of the most important of these. They arise in large volumes and in the rural areas which are often subject to some of the worst pressures of wood shortage.

However,  residues  are  often  bulky  and  difficult  to  burn  so  various  conversion techniques have been developed. As the population of the world continues to grow, the demand  for  energy  is  becoming  critical  challenge  for  the  world’s  energy leaders (Christoph,  2012).  Global  energy consumption  has  about  doubled  in  the  last  three decades of the past century. In 2004, about 77.8% of the primary energy consumption was from fossil fuels (32.8% oil, 21.1% natural gas, 24.1% coal), 5.4% from nuclear fuels,  16.5%  from  renewable resources,  of  which the main  one  was  hydro  (5.5%) whereas the remaining 11% consisted of non-commercial biomasses such as wood, hay, and other types of fodder, that in rural-economies still constitute the main resource (BP- Amoco,  2005).  With  improvements  in  energy  efficiency it  is  expected  that  global energy demand doubles by 2050. This is the consequence of global population growth, global  economic growth, continued urbanization, as well as the resulting increased demand on mobility and other energy dependent services (Christoph, 2013).

The selected materials for making briquettes from this briquette making machine are:

1.   Rice husks

2.   Sugar cane bargasse

Briquettes produced from briquetting of biomass are good substitute for coal, lignite, fire wood with numerous advantages. Briquetting is one of the alternative methods to save the consumption and dependency on fire wood, the densities of these fuels can be easily handled, transported and stored.

The process helps to solve residual disposal problems as well as the reduction of fuel wood  deforestation;  it  provides  additional  income  for  farmers  and  creates  job.  In addition, briquettes have a consistent quality and high running efficiency (Jeng et al.,

2012).

Therefore, the cost savings associated with reducing the volume of waste compressed briquette can also be used as a fuel for starting fires or as insulator.

1.2        Statement of the Research Problem

i.      Over  dependent  on  fossil  fuels  conventional  energy  with  their  associated increase in Co2 emissions which have detrimental effects on the atmosphere.

ii.      The high cost of purchasing fossil fuels which affect virtually every sector of the economy.

iii.      Indiscriminate  disposal  and  burning  of  Agricultural  waste  residue,  thereby causing environmental pollution.

iv.      Consumption and dependency on fire wood which causes deforestation.

1.3      Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of this research work is to develop a low cost Briquette making Machine. The objectives of this research work are to:

1.   Design and construct a low cost briquette making machine which can be used to produce Briquette.

2.   Test the design briquette making machine using selected agricultural residues

(Rice husks and Sugar cane bagasse).

3.   Evaluate the efficiency of the design briquette making machine.

1.4    Justification of the Study

The Development of a low cost briquette making machine was chosen for the purpose of this research work mainly for the following reasons;

1.   The  low  cost  briquette  making  machine  is  easy  to  construct,  operate  and maintain.

2.   Persistent energy crisis and the need to shift our focus from fossil fuels to renewable energy source.

3.   Availability of millions tones of Agricultural residues such as rice husks, sugar cane bagasse and other forest residues and the need to solve waste disposal problems.

4. The low cost briquette making machine gives a very good combustion performance.

1.5     Scope of the Study

This  research  work  is  limited  to  the  development  of  a  low  cost  briquette  making machine for the production of briquette using Rice husks and Sugarcane bagasse as selected materials. Using the machine also to solve agricultural wastes management through conversion and recycling of Rice husks and Sugarcane baggase to solid fuel.

1.6       Limitation of the Study

The limitation encountered ranges from the choosing of electric motor which involve precise selection of horse power to suit machine for proper running to that of mixing of the prepared materials with water and binder for proper ejection of the briquette after compression from the machine.

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