Effect of Particle Size on Quality of Briquettes Produced from Sawdust of Daniella oliveiri and Gmelina arborea in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria
Journal Title: Asian Research Journal of Agriculture - Year 2017, Vol 3, Issue 4
Abstract
The effect of particle size on the quality of briquettes produced from sawdust of Daniella oliveiri and Gmelina arborea was determined using some properties such as Compressed and Relaxed Density, Shattered Index and Combustion properties of the briquettes produced. The sawdust samples were collected from Timber Market in Northbank Makurdi Benue State Nigeria, sundried for 7 days and sieved into three different sizes; 1.70 mm, 2.36 mm and 3.35 mm. Starch binder was used in producing the briquettes in the proportion of 25% to 100 g of sawdust sample. The briquettes were produced in the Mechanical Engineering Laboratory of the University of Agriculture Makurdi. The experimental design was based on a 2 x 3 Factorial in Completely Randomised Design (CRD). Data was collected to determine Compressed Density at 0 minutes and relaxed Density at 30 minutes, 1 hour, 24 hours and 7 days: Shattered index and Combustion properties of the briquettes produced. The result showed a gradual reduction in compressed and relaxed density of briquettes as drying time increased from 0 minutes to 7 days. There was also an observed decrease in density as particle size of briquettes increased from 1.70 mm to 3.35 mm. The species densities did not show any significant differences, though Gmelina arborea recorded a higher relaxed density of 0.32 g/cm3 in 7 days. The effect of species and particle size were not significant on Shattered index, where as Gmelina arborea had a shattered resistance of 99.9% .There was no significant difference in the heating values of the briquettes produced from three particle sizes, but Gmelina arbore are corded a higher Specific heat of 4947.80 Kcal/kg compared with Daniella oliveiri with 4919.30 Kcal/kg. The assessment showed that particle size had no significant effect on the quality of briquettes produced from the two species. Therefore sawdust particles of Daniella olivieri and Gmelina arborea are suitable sources of material for briquettes production in Nigeria.
Authors and Affiliations
Emmanuel Terzungwue Tembe, Evander Azeh, David Oriabure Ekhuemelo
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP338019
- DOI 10.9734/ARJA/2017/32079
- Views 66
- Downloads 0
Sprouting Behaviour in Response to Gibberellic Acid in Potato Microtuber
Aims: The present work was carried out to break dormancy of microtuber from storage environment for seed potato multiplication as well as regulating their future use. Study Design: The experiment was laid out in a comple...
Analysis of Profitability of Pumpkin (Cucurbita spp) Production in Central Agricultural Zone of Nasarawa State, Nigeria
This study examines the profitability of pumpkin production in Nasarawa state, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to; determine the costs and returns associated with pumpkin production and identify the constraints ass...
Analyses of Training Needs to Improve Job Performance Using Model Borich Need Assessment with Theory of Self-Efficacy
This purpose of the study is to identify the training needs of Iraqi agricultural extension workers in three (3) provinces. The study includes a conceptual framework, analytical framework, description of the study area,...
Inter-seasonal Effects on Selected Maturity Parameters of DK8031 Maize Grown under Varying Irrigation and Nitrogen Levels in Embu County, Kenya
Maize is a staple food and a source of carbohydrates to a large proportion of people in Kenya. The performance of crop plants such as maize depends on a number of factors such as climate, soil characteristics and plant s...
Improving Agricultural Water Productivity with Alternate Furrow Irrigation in Semi-Arid Conditions of Northern Ethiopia
The major production constraint in arid and semi-arid areas is scarcity of irrigation water. Thus, improving the management of irrigation water is very crucial to reduce water losses and thereby enhance water use efficie...