Design and Testing of a Low-Cost Manually Operated Briquette Press for Sustainable Biomass Utilisation

0*, Godfrey Tigere**, Obey Anesu Zingwaru***, Faith Masomera****
*-** Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Harare Institute of Engineering, Harare, Zimbabwe.
*** Department of Engineering and Physics, Bindura University of Science Education, Bindura, Zimbabwe.
**** Department of Agricultural Engineering, Bindura University of Science Education, Bindura, Zimbabwe.
Periodicity:October - December'2024
DOI : https://doi.org/10.26634/jme.14.4.21599

Abstract

As the global population continues to grow, meeting the increasing demand for energy has become a significant challenge. This necessitates the adoption of renewable energy technologies to ensure a sustainable energy supply and production. Renewable energy sources are not only secure but also have a significantly lower environmental impact compared to conventional energy sources. In this study, a hydraulically operated briquette machine was designed, fabricated, and tested using locally available materials to convert agricultural waste into briquettes. The machine processes agricultural biomass waste materials such as sawdust, leaves, roots, fruit peels, seed or nut shells, groundnut husks, and other crop residues into briquettes capable of generating heat energy for both domestic and industrial applications. The primary components of the machine include the hydraulic jack, frame, pistons, and compression cylinders. Testing results showed that specific binder concentration ratios combined with sawdust produced the most compacted briquettes. The compaction chamber consists of multiple cylinders, each equipped with a piston and an ejector. The machine is capable of producing square briquettes of uniform size. The mass and density of the briquettes vary depending on the binding agent used. The compaction pressure and force were determined, ensuring optimal briquette formation. Additionally, various experiments were conducted to analyze the calorific value, compressive strength, moisture content, and ash content of the briquettes. The results indicated that higher binder content contributed to improved briquette performance.

Keywords

Agricultural Waste, Briquettes, Manually Operated, Hydraulically, Fabricate.

How to Cite this Article?

Gwatidzo, O., Tigere, G., Zingwaru, O. A., & Masomera, F. (2024). Design and Testing of a Low-Cost Manually Operated Briquette Press for Sustainable Biomass Utilization. i-manager’s Journal on Mechanical Engineering, 14(4), 11-24. https://doi.org/10.26634/jme.14.4.21599

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