Journal of Fundamentals of Renewable Energy and Applications
Open Access

Abstract

Evaluation of the Performances of Biomass Briquettes Produced with Invasive Eichornia crassipes (Water hyacinth), Wood Residues and Cow Dung for Small and Medium Scale Industries

Wartw Bandara and P Kowshayini

Conventional energy resources decrease worldwide with increasing population and technology advancement. Sustainable Energy Authority of Sri Lanka focuses on total replacement of fossil fuel by renewable energy sources by 2050. Water hyacinth is a renewable energy source as it has considerable energy potential within and it is invasive to Sri Lanka. This study aims to identify the ideal proportion of the saw dust: water hyacinth and cow dung: water hyacinth to produce briquettes for biomass boilers in industries. Saw dust was mixed with water hyacinth in 25:75-S1, 50:50-S2 and 75:25-S3 proportions. Cow dung was mixed with water hyacinth as above proportions (C1, C2 and C3). Energy briquettes were manufactured using screw type extruder briquetting machine. Energy properties including moisture content, volatile matter content, ash content, fixed carbon and calorific value and mechanical properties including bulk density, durability, water resistance capacity and water boiling time were measured and fuel wood value indices of briquettes were calculated.

In saw dust-water hyacinth briquettes, there is no any significant difference between three types for fuel value indices and density. S2 type of briquettes perform better as they have significantly higher calorific value (19.17 kJ/g) and water resistance capacity (98.73%) and significantly lower moisture content (5.32%) and water boiling time (10 minutes). In cow dung-water hyacinth briquettes, C1 and C2 types of briquettes have significantly higher FVI. C2 type of briquette have significantly higher volatile matter content (75.54%) and significantly lower moisture content 5.81%) and fixed carbon content (10.0%). C1 type of briquettes took significantly lower time (21 min) to boil one litre of water. C2 type of water hyacinth-cow dung briquettes can be considered as the best in terms of energy and mechanical properties.