DEVELOPMENT OF A LOW COST BRIQUETTE MAKING MACHINE

Abstract

ABSTRACT The work focuses on the development of a low cost briquette making machine using Rice husks and Sugarcane baggase as selected materials. The realization that deforestation and wood fuel shortages are likely to become pressing problems in many countries has turned attention to other types of biomass fuel. However, rice husks and sugarcane baggasse residues are often bulky and difficult to burn which lead to this conversion technique developed. In developing this briquetting machine, mild steel was used in preference to other available materials because of its rigidity and strength to support the weight of the component parts put together, widely available, easily machined, improved surface finish and has low carbon content of about 0.15% - 0.25%.The developed briquette machine is based on power screw concept technique which operates in such a way that once the electric motor is plugged into an electricity source and it is switched on, the power being transmitted by the motor drives and rotates the screw shaft of the machine through the V-belt. As the power from the electric motor drives the shaft, it forces the screw shaft to rotate and force the prepared material either sugar cane baggase or Rice husks which has been properly mixed with binder to move into the briquetting die after the compression. The moment the compressed briquette comes out of the briquetting die, it then moved to the collection tray attached to the frame of the machine for proper collection of the briquettes to avoid being scattered. In evaluating the performance of the designed machine, the rice husks and sugarcane baggase were used with starch as a binder. The machine efficiency was found to be 66%. The calorific values of rice husks briquette and sugar cane baggase briquette were found to be 18.978MJ/kg and 15.578MJ/kg respectively.