Enhancing the Properties of Coal Briquette Using Spear Grass (Imperata Cylindrica)

Studies have been carried out on utilizing agricultural wastes (spear grass) to enhance the properties of coal briquette. The proximate analysis of the plant material was carried out alongside with a sample of coal (sub-bituminous coal). Briquettes of different compositions were produced by blending the plant material with the coal at various concentrations: 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% and 100%, using cassava starch as a binder and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) as desulfurizing agent. The properties of the briquettes were compared. It was found that the ignition, burning rate and reduction in smoke emission showed improvement with increase in biomass concentration. Compressive strength and cooking efficiency (water boiling time and specific fuel consumption) showed initial improvement and rendered to decrease with briquette containing 30% biomass.