Effects of Varying Binder Proportions to the Mechanical, Physico-Chemical and Combustion Properties of Banana (Musa acuminata x balbisiana) Leaves-Derived Biochar Briquettes

Abstract

The study aimed to characterize the mechanical, physico-chemical and combustion properties of biochar-derived briquettes from the banana (Musa acuminata x balbisiana) leaves and determine the optimum binder proportion of the briquettes. Physical properties include moisture content, density, and compressive strength. Physico-chemical properties were evaluated using proximate analysis which includes volatile matter, ash, and fixed carbon. Combustion properties were comprised of ignition time and burning rate.

Freshly harvested, oven dried, and milled banana leaves underwent slow pyrolysis at 300 °C for 8 hours. The retrieved biochar was combined with varied concentrations of cassava starch binder at 10%, 30%, and 50%. It was then molded into briquettes and dried at 80 °C until 5% moisture content was achieved.

Results showed that as binder proportion increased, compressive strength, volatile matter, and ignition time also increased. However, an increase in binder proportion induced a decrease in burning rate. Moreover, compressive strength, volatile matter, ignition time, and burning rate are found to be statistically significant in relation to binder proportion as analyzed using One-way ANOVA at 95% confidence level. Other parameters that were statistically insignificant in relation to binder proportion included moisture content, density, ash content, and fixed carbon. After performing optimization through Simplex Lattice in Design Expert, optimum cassava binder proportion was found to be 41.14%.