Advancements in Affordable Briquette Making Machines: A Focus on Low-Cost Development.
Abstract:
This study focuses on the development of an affordable briquette making machine utilizing Rice husks and Sugarcane bagasse as primary materials. With growing concerns about deforestation and wood fuel shortages in various countries, alternative biomass fuels have gained attention. However, the bulkiness and challenging burn properties of rice husks and sugarcane bagasse residues have prompted the need for a conversion technique.
To construct this briquetting machine, mild steel was chosen due to its rigidity, strength to support component parts, widespread availability, ease of machinability, improved surface finish, and low carbon content (approximately 0.15% – 0.25%). The designed briquette machine is based on the power screw concept technique. When connected to an electricity source and activated, an electric motor transmits power, driving and rotating the screw shaft through a V-belt. As the shaft rotates, it compels the properly mixed material (either sugar cane bagasse or rice husks blended with binder) to move into the briquetting die for compression. Once compressed, the briquettes are ejected from the die and collected in a tray attached to the machine frame, preventing scattering.
The performance evaluation of the machine was conducted using rice husks and sugarcane bagasse mixed with starch as a binder. The efficiency of the machine was determined to be 66%. Additionally, the calorific values of the rice husks briquette and sugarcane bagasse briquette were measured to be 18.978MJ/kg and 15.578MJ/kg, respectively. These findings demonstrate the potential of the developed briquette making machine as an eco-friendly and efficient alternative for utilizing agricultural waste materials for energy production.
Advancements in Affordable Briquette Making Machines: A Focus on Low-Cost Development.