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Effects of Varying Binder Types and Binder Percentages on Mango

(Mangifera indica L.) Seed Husk Briquettes

Rina A. Bawar1

 ABSTRACT

The study measured and analyzed the physical and combustion properties of mango seed husk briquettes (MSHBs). The independent parameters included binder type (starch gel, molasses and newspaper paste) and binder percentage (10%, 30% and 50%) that evaluated the effects on bulk density, compressed density, relaxed density, length stability, compression strength, volatile matter, ash content and fixed carbon of MSHBs. Analysis of variance showed that relaxed density, length stability, compression strength and ash content were significantly affected by the two independent factors. Bulk density, compressed density and fixed carbon were solely affected by the binder percentage while volatile matter was affected only by the binder type.

The study revealed that MSHBs produced with newspaper as binder consistently gave superior characteristics such as higher compressive strength (4.03 MPa), lower ash content (9.28%) and higher fixed carbon (8.31%). It is also considered as waste like mango seed husk, the main component of the briquette.

One important edge of MSHBs was the gross calorific value. Mango seed husk briquettes averaged with 17.84 MJ/kg while rice husk was reported to have 15.97 MJ/kg. This study showed the comparative advantage of mango seed husk briquette as an alternative source of energy.

Keywords: mango seed husk, densification, biomass briquette, binder material, binder ratio

 

1Assistant Professor 2, Agricultural and Bio-Process Division, Institute of Agricultural Engineering, College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology, University of the Philippines Los Baños, 4031 College, Laguna, Philippines