Physico-mechanical Properties of Composite Briquettes from Corncob and Rice Husk

Densification of agricultural residues into briquettes as the alternative renewable feedstock can improve their physico-mechanical and storage properties as solid fuels. This paper presents the physico-mechanical properties of the composite briquettes made from corncob and rice husk. Raw samples of corncob and rice husk were collected, sorted and pulverised into fines of 0.25, 1.00 and 1.75 mm particle sizes. The fines were blended at mixing ratios of 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, and 50:50, bonded with 5% starch on weight percentage basis and compressed at compaction pressures of 25, 50, and 65 kPa to produce the briquette samples. The briquette made from 80:20 ratio of corncob to rice husk, 0.25 mm particle size and 65 kPa pressure exhibited the highest compressive strength of 111 kN/m² and the least of 39 kN/m² from briquette with 50:50 ratio of corncob to rice husk, 1.75 mm particle size and 25 kPa pressure. The briquette made from 50:50 ratio of corncob to rice husk, 0.25 mm particle size and 65 kPa pressure had the highest water resistance capacity, and the least from briquette of 80:20 ratio of corncob to rice husk, 1.75 mm particle size and 25 kPa pressure. The resulting physico-mechanical qualities of the produced corncob and rice husk briquettes suggested that they could be used as the solid fuels for domestic and industrial applications.