Physical Characteristics of Briquettes from Guinea corn (sorghum bi-color) Residue
Abstract
The densification of Guinea corn, a source of biomass material is necessary for the purpose of handling and space requirements. Guinea corn residue was collected from the field at a moisture content of 9.08 % dry basis (db), reduced and sieved into three particle sizes D1 ,, D2 ; and D3 . Starch mutillage of 40%, 45%, 50% and 55% by weight of the residue was added as binder. The bulk density of the unprocessed and processed material was determined using ASAE standards. Briquettes were produced using hydraulic press and a cylindrical die (56mmf) at pressures of 7.5, 8.5, 9.5 and 10.5 MPa. The moisture content of the briquette was determined using standard methods.
The particle sizes were separated into three distinct size ranges of 4.70mm (D1), 1.70mm (D2) and 0.60mm (D3). The mean moisture content of the relaxed briquettes was 7.15% (db). The bulk density of the unprocessed material was 46.03kg/m3, and the mean relaxed briquettes bulk density was 208.15kg/m3 with a volume reduction of about 450%. The maximum density of the briquettes ranged from 789 to 1372kg/m3. The maximum and minimum axial relaxation occurred in the first 30minutes of the extrusion with values 138.64 and 28% respectively in the longitudinal axis, the maximum and minimum radial relaxation were 11.50 and 1.40% respectively. The briquettes were kept safely for a period of six months without deterioration.
Keywords: Guinea corn, Briquettes, Residue, Characteristics
