Thermal Performance Comparison of Carbonized and Uncarbonized Briquettes Derived from Maize Agricultural Waste

IZUCHUKWU JOHN OKAFOR; Okore Okay  Okorafor; Ejike Collins  EZE; Uchenna Charles  ONYEMIZE; Andrew Ternenge  TSEE; Fouad Ayinde  WILLOUGHBY; Kingsely Ugonna  IKECHUKWU; John Seye  OLANREWAJU

doi:10.5937/jpea29-62191

IZUCHUKWU JOHN OKAFOR University of Ibadan https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8668-3155
Dr O. O. Okorafor Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Federal University of Technology, (FUTO), OWERRI, Nigeria
Ejike Collins EZE Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1787-7261
Uchenna Charles ONYEMIZE National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization, (NCAM), ILORIN, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7945-2705
Andrew Ternenge TSEE National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization, (NCAM), ILORIN, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0718-8853
Fouad Ayinde WILLOUGHBY National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization, (NCAM), ILORIN, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1353-0788
Kingsely Ugonna IKECHUKWU Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Federal University of Technology, (FUTO), OWERRI, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0869-1821
John Seye OLANREWAJU Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Shimane University, MATSUE, Japan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9232-8788

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5937/jpea29-62191

Keywords: Biomass briquettes, Carbonization, Maize cob and stalk, cooking efficiency, Fuel efficiency, Renewable energy

Abstract

This study presents a comparative evaluation of the thermal performance and combustion characteristics of four biomass briquette samples derived from maize residues: uncarbonized maize cob (Sample A), uncarbonized cob-stalk blend (Sample B), carbonized maize cob (Sample C), and carbonized cob-stalk blend (Sample D). Briquettes were produced using cassava starch as binder and shaped into standardized moulds cylindrical for uncarbonized and cuboidal for carbonized samples. Key performance metrics including density, moisture content, ash content, calorific value, fuel consumption rate, cooking efficiency, and fuel efficiency were analysed using ASTM protocols and empirical equations. Results showed that uncarbonized briquettes exhibited higher calorific values and mass, with Sample A recording the highest energy yield. However, Sample B demonstrated superior cooking efficiency (17.285%) and fuel efficiency (19.765%), coupled with the lowest fuel consumption rate (0.985 kg/hr), indicating optimal combustion dynamics. Carbonized briquettes, particularly Sample D, offered cleaner combustion and competitive fuel efficiency (18.235%) despite slightly lower energy values. These findings suggest that blending maize cob and stalk enhances briquette performance, and that uncarbonized briquettes especially cob-stalk mixtures offer a viable, low-cost solution for household energy needs in rural settings.

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