(Acma et al.

, 2013) had done the production of bio-briquettes from carbonised br

own seaweed while (Sellin et al., 2013) had conducted a study on the briquetting
of banana wastes. The study on densification characteristics of corn cobs was d
one by (Kaliyan and Morey, 2010) while (Oladeji, 2010) estimated the fuel charac
terization of briquettes produced from corn cob and residues of rice husk. (Yuma
k et al., 2010) had fabricated briquettes from soda weed (Salsola tragus) to use
at rural area. In 2009, the effects of the pressure of briquetting on banana-pe
el briquettes made of banana peel and waste in northern Thailand was done by (Wi
laipon, 2009) while (Chou et al., 2009) had done the study on the utilisation of
rice straw and rice bran for a solid biomass fuel.
(Haykiri-Acma et al., 2013) had done a study on the fabrication of bio-b
riquettes from brown seaweeds called (Phaeophyta) obtained from the Bosphorus St
raits, located between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea in Turkey. Pre-dried se
aweeds were categorised by several methods including X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-
Ray Florescence (XRF), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Fourier Transform
Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Thermal analysis under nitrogen and dry air condi
tion were also conducted for the seaweeds. Then the carbonised residue was press
ed into a steel mould using the hydraulic press at pressure: 187 MPa. Binders su
ch as sulphide liquor and molasses were used to improve briquettes durability. Th
e mechanical strength of the briquettes, was determined by conducting some tests
such as falling stability and compressibility strength. Water resistance of the
briquettes was also determined. The conclusion made was that the carbonisation
process had upgraded the fuel quality of seaweed such that a decrease in sodium
content and the increase in the fixed carbon and calorific value have been obser
ved.
In the study by (Kalian and Morey, 2010), a uniaxial piston-cylinder was used fo
r the densi cation characteristics of corn cobs. At a maximum compression pressure
of 150 MPa, the effects of particle size (0.85 and 2.81 mm) and moisture conten
t of 10 and 20% wet basis (w.b.) on the durability of the corn cob briquettes we
re determined. At both particle sizes, heating of corn cob grinds with about 10%
(w.b.) moisture content to 85 C did produce briquettes of density 1100 kgm-3 and
90% durability. The results indicated shown the potential use of corn cob pelle
ts for commercial applications such as home heating.
(Oladeji, 2010) had carried out research on the briquettes properties of
the corn cob and rice husk residues to find out the better fuel among of these t
wo regarding efficiency and reliability. The average composition of their consti
tuents was determined by the ultimate and proximate analyses. A prototype brique
tting machine was invented for the briquetting purpose. Results obtained indicat
ed that the briquette products of these residues have got the potential of becom
ing real biomass fuels. Yet, corncob briquette has more positive qualities than
rice husk briquette, where it has an average moisture content of 13.47%, a highe
r density of 650 kg/m3 and lower relaxation ratio of 1.70. Other positive qualit
ies of corncob briquette are their long afterglow time of 370 seconds and slow p
ropagation rate of 0.12 cm/s. It also has a higher volatile matter (VM), greater
high heating value (HHV) and compressive strength compared to rice husk. It can
be concluded that the briquettes will not have such much problems during transp
ortation and storage, based on the relaxed densities values obtained that are ne
arly maximum.
In a research performed by (Yumak et al., 2010), the conditions for the briquett
ing of Russian tumbleweed, Salsola Tragus, (soda weed) in Turkey were investigat
ed. First, the soda weeds were cut coarsely then chopped finely in a hammer mill
. Weed materials at three moisture levels were prepared in the lab. Then, the do
ne chopped weed materials were filled in cylindrical and square dies and then co
mpressed using a hydraulic press at pressure levels of 15.7, 19.6 and 31.4 MPa.
The moisture rate and optimum temperature were determined to fabricate solid bri
quettes. Further tests were conducted to produce briquettes using sawdust and wa
lnut shells as flavours in two sizes of conical dies. The statistical analysis o
f parameters to generate briquettes in various dies had shown that between moist
ure rates of 7 to 10%, at a pressure of 31.4 MPa, and temperatures of 85 to 105C,
the briquetting of soda weed was suitable. Furthermore, sawdust and walnut shel
ls additives have amplified the briquette density without any harmful effects on
the production and product stability.
A study by (Wilaipon, 2009) was to determine the characteristics and pro
perties of banana-peel briquettes. The briquettes were formed with pressure rang
es of 3 to 11 MPa using molasses binder type. Briquettes fabricated with compact
ion pressure over 7 MPa had passed both impact resistance and compressive streng
th tests. The density-pressure and strength-pressure relationship were also esta
blished in this study. Banana-peel briquettes produced with pressures ranging fr
om 7 to 11 MPa had passed both impact resistance and compressive strength tests.
The hypothesis that can be made was, an increase in the briquette pressure will
increase the briquette density.
The study done by (Chou et al., 2009) was on the preparation and charact
erization of the solid fuel briquettes made of rice straw and rice bran. This wo
rk did include three important procedures. First is by fabricating a machine to
crash the rice straw into pieces followed by the compression the smashed samples
into the biomass briquette and third, by characterising the properties of the b
riquette (change in briquette volume, mass losses, air-dry density, compressive
strength, and the heating value) at room temperature. The hot-pressing temperatu
re strongly affected the compressive resistance and the heating value of the bio
mass briquette, where they had increased with an increase in the percentage of t
he rice bran. Most importantly, this work also demonstrated the practicability o
f preparing solid biomass fuel from rice straw and rice bran and planned a metho
d to change these abandoned rice straws into one of renewable energy resources.