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Production and Characterization of Charcoal Briquette from Oxytenanthera

abyssinica, Arundinaria alpina, Acacia melifera and Prosopis juliflora

Article · May 2020

DOI: 10.31254/jsir.2020.9104

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 Journal of Scientific and Innovative Research 2020; 9(1): 16-21
Available online at: www.jsirjournal.com

Research Article
Production and Characterization of Charcoal
ISSN 2320-4818
JSIR 2020; 9(1): 16-21
Briquette from Oxytenanthera abyssinica, Arundinaria
© 2020, All rights reserved
Received: 08-03-2020
alpina, Acacia melifera and Prosopis juliflora
Accepted: 22-03-2020
Sisay Feleke, Fikremariam Haile, Degnechew Genene, Gemechu Yadeta, Amsalu Tolessa, Tegene
Tantu, Tewabech Alemu, Yihun Bekalu

Sisay Feleke
Ethiopian Agricultural Research Consolation; Abstract
P.O.Box. 8115, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Fikremariam Haile Production of sustainable and renewable energy source from locally available biomass feedstock’s provides great
Ethiopian Environment and Forest Research
Institute, Forest products Development and opportunities to achieve sustainable growth and development in economic, social and environmental aspects for
Innovation Research and Training Center;
Bioenergy and Biochemical Research Division; all nations across the globe. This study focused on production and characterization of charcoal briquettes from
P. O. Box 2322, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia forest biomasses such as, Oxytenanthera abyssinica, Arundinaria alpina, Acacia mellifera and Prosopis juliflora,
Degnechew Genene which were collected from different regions of Ethiopia (Amhara, Oromia and Somali). The experiment was
Ethiopian Environment and Forest Research
Institute, Forest products Development and
conducted to determine moisture content (MC), volatile matter (VM), ash content (AC), calorific value (CV),
Innovation Research and Training Center; fixed carbon (FC) and sulfur content (SC). The results were analyzed by using Statistical Analysis System (SAS)
Bioenergy and Biochemical Research Division;
P. O. Box 2322, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia software. The analysis indicated that the effect of parameters considered in the experiment (i.e. Temperature,
Gemechu Yadeta
Binder ratio, Number of press and pressure) on the four species type and sample types were significant at level
Ethiopian Environment and Forest Research of probability, P = 0.0001. Maximum amount of MC was recorded for P. juliflora samples (i.e. Sawdust, Charcoal
Institute, Forest products Development and
Innovation Research and Training Center; and Briquette) with respective values of 7.95%, 6.70 % and 6.88 %. The minimum amount of moisture was
Bioenergy and Biochemical Research Division; recorded on A. alpina’s Sawdust with value of 5 % and A. mellifera Charcoal with value of 5.29 %. Moreover,
P. O. Box 2322, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
the least amount of VM (17.31 %) was found in biomass briquettes produced from A. alpina species and have
Amsalu Tolessa
Ethiopian Environment and Forest Research
better fuel quality in comparison with the other species. The maximum CV was recorded on Densified Biomass
Institute, Forest products Development and Briquette (DBB) obtained from A. alpina and P. juliflora with the values of 7106.8 cal/gm and 6755.6 cal/gm,
Innovation Research and Training Center;
Bioenergy and Biochemical Research Division; respectively. The study suggested that charcoal briquette produced from selected species exhibits good fuel
P. O. Box 2322, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia characteristics (i.e. higher CV, less MC, and high level of FC, and low SC) in compliance with the international
Tegene Tantu acceptable standard. Therefore, the obtained research output in the study encourages proper utilization of the
Ethiopian Environment and Forest Research
Institute, Forest products Development and biomass feedstock’s for consumers and insure healthier environment via the supply of renewable source of
Innovation Research and Training Center; energy
Bioenergy and Biochemical Research Division;
P. O. Box 2322, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Tewabech Alemu
Keywords: Briquette, Oxytenanthera abyssinica, Arundinaria alpina, Acacia melifera and Prosopis
Ethiopian Environment and Forest Research juliflora
Institute, Forest products Development and
Innovation Research and Training Center;
Bioenergy and Biochemical Research Division;
P. O. Box 2322, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
INTRODUCTION
Yihun Bekalu
Ethiopian Environment and Forest Research Energy is vitally necessary to harness the life of human being and makes significant contributions for
Institute, Forest products Development and
Innovation Research and Training Center; economic, social and environmental aspects of human development. The potential sources of this energy
Bioenergy and Biochemical Research Division; can be classified into two major categories, namely renewable and non-renewable energy sources. The
P. O. Box 2322, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
sustainable and renewable energy sources are considered as a better option and preferable to the non-
renewable sources because the non-renewable energy sources such as gasoline, coal, kerosene, diesel, etc.
have no capability to be replenished and would be exhausted [1]. Furthermore, the environmental impacts
as a result of emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), CO2, SOx, and NOx etc. during combustion and
utilization of the non-renewable energy resources is a driving force towards the use of alternative,
Correspondence: renewable and sustainable energy sources for domestic cooking, space heating, heat and power generation
Degnechew Genene and heating of rural and urban households' particularly in developing countries. Among the renewable
Ethiopian Environment and Forest
sources of energy, forest biomass feedstock’s such as, Oxytenanthera abyssinica, Arundinaria alpina,
Research Institute, Forest products
Development and Innovation Acacia melifera and Prosopis juliflora have become one of the most promising choices as cooking fuels
Research and Training Center; due to their adequate availability and would have substantial roles in bioenergy (i.e. densified bio-
Bioenergy and Biochemical briquettes) production processes [2]. However, the utilization of these biomass resources in their natural or
Research Division; P. O. Box 2322,
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia raw form as fuel is difficult because of their very low bulk density, low calorific value (CV) and the
Email: [email protected] excessive amounts of smoke they generates during combustion, difficult to handle, store and transport.

16
Application of effective and efficient briquetting technology is one of the emission into the environment is approximately zero by mass [9-11]. The
ways of ameliorating calorific value (CV), the bulk density and handling aim of the present study was production and characterization of charcoal
techniques for such forest biomasses [3]. This requires appropriate briquette from O. abyssinica, A. alpina, A. melifera and P. juliflora and
densification of the subjected biomass resources in order to produce the to evaluate its corresponding fuel properties of such as, physical
densified bio-briquettes (DBB) with better handling characteristics and properties, proximate analysis, and ultimate analysis, calorific value
meliorated volumetric calorific value [4]. The production and processing (CV).
of bio-briquettes from forest biomass resources illustrates the potential of
proper technology for waste wood and fuel wood utilization [5]. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Moreover, briquettes have several advantages over fuel wood in terms of
convenience in use, cleanliness, greater heat intensity and qualified fuel Description of Study Area
characteristics, uniformity in size and requirement of relatively smaller
space for storage and transportation [6-8]. During the utilization of charcoal The study was conducted in Pawe, Injibara and Borena areas of Ethiopia.
briquette, there would be low emissions of the oxides of the combustible The study sites were selected based upon adequate resource availability;
elements, for instances, the emission of CO2 from the combustion of and considered as potential representative sites for the selected species
biomass feedstock’s is equivalent to the amount of CO2 absorbed during across the regions of Ethiopia. The detail descriptions of study sites were
its growing cycle by means of photosynthesis; hence, the net CO 2 expressed in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Description of the Study Sites

Study Site Regional State Altitude in masl. Annual Rainfall in (mm) Mean Annual Temperature in (0C) Literature source
Pawe Amhara region 1050 1200-1585 16-32 [12]
Injibara Amhara region 2540-3000 1813 16.25 [13-14]
Borena Oromia 1350-1800 588 19 [15]
Afar Somali 980 567 25.8 [15]

Sample Collection and Preparation Proximate Analysis of the Sawdust and Charcoal Briquettes Produced
from Different Species
Sample of P. juliflora stem with 3-4 cm in diameter was collected from
Afar region in February, 2013. Sample of A. melifera was collected from Determination of Moisture Content
Borena region in 2015; and samples of bamboo species (O. abyssinica,
and A. alpina) were collected from Pawe and Injibara areas in 2016. Then, Percentage of the moisture content (PMC) was determined using standard
the collected samples of specified species were chopped into suitable size, method of American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM D 4442-07)
and then dried for further milling, washed in tap water to remove impurity on basis of dry biomass was found by weighing samples of obtained
from outer part of the stem and dried in oven dryer at a temperature of briquette (W1) and oven drying it at 105 °C and intermediate weight of
650c for 48 hr. Then, the oven dried samples were milled using hammer sample was recorded in every 60 minutes until the constant weight was
mill into 2-3 mm in size, and further milled into mesh sizes of 0.25 mm obtained (W2). Then, the difference in weight (W1 - W2) was calculated
and 1.4 mm using the disk mill. to determine the sample’s percentage moisture content using the
following equation:-
Carbonization of Samples of the Specified Species’ Strip Wood
𝑾𝟏 − 𝑾𝟐
The carburization of the strip wood (i.e. the disk mill with mesh sizes of 𝑷𝑴𝑪 = × 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝑾𝟏
0.25 mm and 1.4 mm) was carried out in the furnace at temperature of
500 °C for 60 and 90 minutes, respectively. Then, the charcoal was Where,
removed immediately from the furnace and cooled under tap water. The
cooled charcoal was spread over the floor and thereby dried in a naturally W1 = Initial weight of sample before drying
ventilated room with relative humidity (RH) of 86-89% at an ambient
temperature of 25 °C – 30 °C for three days. The dried charcoal was cut W2 = Final weight of sample after drying
into small strips manually by using sledge hammer to reduce sample sizes
into appropriate mesh for making briquette. PMC = Percentage Moisture Content

Processing of Charcoal for Making Briquette Determination of Volatile Matter

The prepared powder samples were taken turn by turn and proportionally The percentage of volatile matter (PVM) content was determined using
mixed with the binder to make briquette. Acacia seyal gum Arabic was the standard method CEN/TS 15148. Two grams of sample was
used as a binding agent for making briquette during the experimentation. pulverized and oven dried at 105 ºC until its weight was constant. Then,
The binder concentration of 5% was prepared and manually mixed with the sample was heated at 550 ºC for 10 min and weighed after cooling in
the prepared charcoal powder with solid to volume ratio in the range of desiccators. The PVM was calculated using the following equation:
0.65 - 0.87 g/ml. The molds were then filled up to the edge of the mold
tube and it was pressed by the Peterson Press. During the operation the 𝑾𝟏 − 𝑾𝟐
𝑷𝑽𝑴 = × 𝟏𝟎𝟎
pressure of machine (i.e. the Peterson Press) was reached maximum when 𝑾𝟏
the lever was at its lowest position; and then, dropped off before starting
the next cycle. During the process, distilled water was squeezed out from Where,
the holes around the mold. Small time gap was maintained between two
pressure cycles to facilitate the squeezing of water out from the briquette. PVM = Percentage of Volatile Matter
Finally, 20 - 25% (wt.) moisture content of the densified biomass
briquette (DBB) was obtained. A natural drying process method was used W1 = Initial weight of sample
in the experiment until the moisture content of the DBB lies within the
range of 12 - 15% [16]. W2 = Final weight of the sample after cooling

Determination of Ash Content

17
The percentage of ash content (PAC) was determined using Determination of Sulfur Content
CEN/TS14775 standard method. The percentage of ash content (PAC)
was also determined by heating 2g of the pulverized sample in the furnace Sulfur content was determined by Eschka method using ASTM-D 3177
at a temperature of 550 oC for 4hrs and weighed after cooling in a standard. One gram sample was put into a porcelain crucible and mixed
desiccator to obtain the weight of ash. The PAC was determined using with 3.00 g of Eschka mixture. The mixture was then covered with 1.00
the following equation: g of Eschka mixture. The crucibles were then put in a muffle furnace and
heated gradually to 800 °C for 60 minutes.
𝑾𝟐
𝑷𝑨𝑪 = × 𝟏𝟎𝟎 Data Analysis
𝑾𝟏

Where, A total of the four tree species (O. abyssinica, A. alpina, A. mellifera and
P. juliflora) treatments with three replications and 6 measurement
W1 = Initial weight of dry sample parameters were designed in the experiment. Statistical analysis of data
was carried out using SAS Software, Version 9 and Microsoft Excel
W2 = Final weight of ash obtained after cooling sample (2010) computer software. Means that exhibited significant differences
were compared using Least Significant Difference (LSD) at (P <0.001)
PAC = percentage of Ash content level.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Determination of Fixed Carbon Variation in Proximate and Ultimate analysis on the Selected Species

The percentage of fixed carbon (PFC) was calculated by subtracting the The proximate analysis such as moisture content, volatile mater, fixed
sum of percentage volatile matter (PVM) and percentage ash content carbon and ash content of the four species where highly significant at
(PAC) and percentage moisture content from 100 % as shown in the probability, P = 0.0001, and affected by sample type and species type
following equation: (Table 2); Whereas, the ultimate analysis (caloric value and sulfur
content) among the selected species were also significant at level of
Fixed Carbon = 𝟏𝟎𝟎 % − (𝑷𝑨𝑪 + 𝑷𝑴𝑪 + 𝑷𝑽𝑴) probability, P = 0.0001, and affected by sample type and species type
(Table 2). Moreover, the interaction effect among the selected species has
Determination of Caloric value shown a highly significant value on the proximate and ultimate analysis
(Table 2).
The calorific value of briquette determines the amount of heat energy
present in the material. The calorific value was determined in line with
the moisture content, ash content, and volatile matter on the briquettes.
The calorific value (kJ/kg) of the samples under test was calculated from
the temperature rise of the briquettes when burnt and its heat capacity. A
calorimeter apparatus was used to determine the calorific value of the
produced briquettes.

Table 2: Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for evaluation of test parameters on species of Arundinaria alpina, Oxytenanthera abyssinica, Prosopis
juliflor, and Acacia melifera

Source of variation DF Mean square

MC VM FC Ash CV SC
Species Type 3 4.25*** 20.16*** 108*** 126*** 505782*** 0.08***
Sample Type 2 4.48*** 10276*** 8374*** 85** 21785563*** 0.12***
Species Type * Sample Type 6 3.79*** 53.91*** 104*** 158*** 674239*** 0.02***
Cv 7.58 3.93 2.95 8.56 2.81 31.09
R2 0.90 0.99 0.99 0.99 0.99 0.91

***= significant at P < 0.0001;**=significant at P < 0.01; significant at P < 0.05; and non-significant at P < 0.05

DF – Degree of freedom, MC – Moisture content, VM – Volatile matter, also obtained from samples of P. juliflora charcoal (6.70%) and its
FC – Fixed carbon, CV – Calorific value, SC– Sulfur content, Cv - corresponding sample briquettes with value of 6.63%. On the other hand,
Coefficient of variance and R – Regression factor statistically similar and minimum values of moisture contents were
obtained from A. alpina sawdust with value of 5% and from sample of A.
The Interaction Effects of Sample type and Species type on melifera charcoal (4.62%) (Table 3).
Proximate Analysis of the Selected Species
Volatile Matter
Moisture Content
The interaction effect of volatile matter between the selected species
The interaction effect of the moisture content between the species types types and sample types has shown that it is significant at level of
and sample type has shown significant value at P = 0.001, with the probability, P = 0.001. The value of volatile matter content for the
corresponding average moisture content of sawdust (6.82%), charcoal selected species varies in pre-carburization and post-carburization
(5.60 %) and briquette (6.09 %), respectively. Regarding the species of processes of biomasses. With this regard, it has been illustrated that
A. melifera and P. juliflora, it has been shown that statistically similar maximum values of volatile matter content were obtained in the sawdust
and significantly higher values of moisture contents were recorded as of O. abyssinica (71.95%), A. alpina (74.52%), A. melifera (72.11%) and
8.55% for sawdust of A. melifera and 7.95% for saw dust of P. juliflora P. juliflora (63.05%) with the corresponding mean value of volatile
(Table 3). Moreover, a relatively higher value of moisture contents were matter content of 70.41% in pre-carburization process. In this study, the

18
recorded values of volatile matter content in the sawdust of the selected species) than in post-carburization processes (i.e. in charcoal and
species were in compliance with the reports of 70.1% volatile matter densified biomass briquette products with mean values of ash content
content in the sawdust of tree species [17]. On the other hand, the 11.88% and 9.16%, respectively). Moreover, the minimum percentage of
minimum and statistically similar values of volatile matter content were ash content were recorded for DBB produced from P. juliflora, A.
recorded in post-carburization processes (i.e. in charcoal with mean value melifera and A. alpina with their respective values of 3.56%, 6.56% and
of 19.91% and in densified biomass briquettes with mean value of 5.18%; whereas, the maximum value of ash content (21.34%) was
20.17%) (Table 3). recorded in DBB produced from sawdust of O. abyssinica (Table 3).

When the volatile matter (VM) contents of biomasses compared The decrease in the amount of ash content in the biomass increases the
transversally, it was demonstrated that for each sample types, quality of fuel [20-21]. Hence, it has been shown that the DBB produced
significantly the least values of VM were observed on DBB of A. alpina from sawdust of species: P. juliflora, A. melifera and A. alpina relatively
(17.70%), O. abyssinica (19.18%) and P. juliflor (20.56%) (Table 3). The exhibits better fuel characteristics or fuel quality than the DBB produced
presence of low volatile matter in the resulting DBB enhances its from the sawdust of O. abyssinica. This study also indicated that the
combustion tendency in which a heterogeneous smokeless and flameless average value of ash content in Densified Biomass Briquette and
burning process takes place within the porous fuel or burning on the carbonized sawdust for all selected species were in the range of 9.16 -
surface [18]. Moreover, the DBB sample with the minimum volatile 11.88 % (Table 3). The obtained values were much better than the
matter content is anticipated to have the maximum energy value or reported values of average ash content by Aries M. R. [22], which were
calorific value [19]. Therefore, the presence of the least volatile matter in the range of 14.6 - 31% for Feasibility of Biomass Briquette Production
content in the densified biomass briquette produced from sawdust of A. from Municipal Waste.
alpina species enables the briquette to have better fuel characteristics or
fuel quality in comparison with the rest biomass briquettes of the selected Fixed Carbon
species in the study.
Fixed carbon is the major quality measuring parameter that determines
Ash Content the energy behaviors in the production of densified biomass briquettes. It
has been shown that the interaction effects of fixed carbon between
The interaction effect of ash content among the selected species type and sample types and species types is of significant value at level of
sample types is significant at level of probability, P = 0.01. In order to probability, P = 0.0001. In the study, maximum value of fixed carbon
compare the amount of ash content transversally among the sample types was recorded on DBB made from species of A. alpina (71.17 %) and P.
in pre-carburization and post-carburization processes, it has been juliflora (70.22 %). The minimum percentage of fixed carbon was
indicated that the minimum mean value of ash content (6.55%) was observed in DBB made from A. melifera and O. abyssinica with
obtained in pre-carburization (i.e. in sawdust sample of the selected respective values of 56.60 % and 53.01 % (Table 3).

Table 3: Interaction effects between species type and sample type on proximate analysis of Oxytenanthera abyssinica, Arundinaria alpina, Acacia
melifera and Prosopis juliflora

Moisture Content (%) Volatile Mater (%) Fixed Carbon (%) Ash Content (%)
Sample Type
Sawdust Charcoal Briquette Sawdust Charcoal Briquette Sawdust Charcoal Briquette Sawdust Charcoal Briquette
Oxytenanthera e g def b h fg f c e h b
5.79d 5.2ef 5.71 71.95 14.29 19.18 19.07 62.31 53.01 3.53 18.43 21.34a
abyssinica
Arundinaria
5fg 5.89cde 6.42bcd 74.52a 20.43ef 17.7g 18.6f 64.23bc 71.17a 1.97g 9.45e 5.18g
Alpina
Acacia
8.55a 4.62g 5.67def 72.11ab 21.82de 20.72def 17.51f 58.37d 56.6d 4.05gh 14.47d 6.56f
Melifera
Prosopis
7.95a 6.7b 6.63bc 63.05c 23.09d 20.56ef 12.28g 65.04b 70.22a 16.66c 5.16g 3.56h
Juliflora
Mean 6.82a 5.60b 6.11ab 70.41a 19.91b 20.17b 6.55b 11.88a 9.16a

Means followed by the same letters under the same column are The interaction effect among the selected species types and sample types
statistically non-significant at level of probability, P = 0.05. with respect to the calorific values of DBB has shown significant value
at level of probability, P = 0.001. In the study it has been found that the
Calorific Value (Heating Value) DBB produced from species of A. alpina and P. juliflora with respective
calorific values of 7167 cal/gm and 6979 cal/gm exhibits good fuel
The calorific value is the principal quality index for fuels [16]. The characteristics in comparison with DBB produced from species of A.
calorific value of densified biomass briquettes relies on the moisture melifera (6791 cal/gm) and O. abyssinica (6140 cal/gm) (Table 4).
content, ash content and fixed carbon content [23] in relation with other Moreover, the observed calorific values of DBB showed an improvement
factors such as, species types, raw materials’ pretreatment, types of in fuel quality when relatively compared with the previous research
binding agent, particle’s size, solid to liquid ratio and the nature of finding the value of 4641.14 cal/gm [25].
briquetting machine. Hence, mixing of pretreated biomass species with
appropriate ratio of binding agent is helpful to produce the DBB with
better fuel characteristics [24].

Table 4: Interaction effects between species type and sample type on ultimate analysis of Oxytenanthera abyssinica, Arundinaria alpina, Acacia
mellifera and Prosopis juliflora

Calorific Value (cal/gm) Sulfur Content (%)

Sample Type Sawdust Charcoal Briquette Sawdust Charcoal Briquette
Oxytenanthera abyssinica 4390g 6485d 6140e 0.24b 0.37a 0.09cd
f cd a bc a
Arundinaria alpina 4737 6558 7167 0.17 0.39 0.06cd
Acacia melifera 4587fg 6071e 6791bc 0.22b 0.23b 0.04d

19
 Prosopis juliflora 3393h 6225cd 6979ab 0.02d 0.02d 0.02d
Mean 4277c 6335b 6769a 0.16b 0.25a 0.05c

Means followed the same letters under the same column are statistically Environment and Forest Research Institute for providing financial and
non-significant at level of probability, P = 0.05. logistics support during the study.

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Therefore, the use of these types of charcoal briquette is environmentally Characterization of Biomass Briquettes from Tannery Solid Waste.
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Petroleum and Natural Gas, Geological Survey of Ethiopia for facilitation 22. Aries Roda D, Romallosa, Eckhard Kraft. Feasibility of Biomass
of laboratory during the study. Authors are also thankful to Mrs. Briquette Production from Municipal Waste Streams by Integrating
Alemnesh Abate and other personnel for all rounded support during the Informal Sector in the Philippines. Resources, 2017.
conducting experiment in the laboratory. Moreover, authors are thankful 23. Tabarés JLM, Ortiz L, Granada E, Viar FP. “Feasibility study of
for all staff members of Bioenergy and Bio-chemical Research Division energy use for densificated lignocellulosic material (briquettes)”,
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not the least, authors would like to thank gratefully the Ethiopian

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