Patrick Katamani

Department of Wood Science and Technology Education, Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Kumasi, Ghana

Kwaku Antwi

Department of Wood Science and Technology Education, Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Kumasi, Ghana

Stephen Jobson Mitchual

Department of Wood Science and Technology Education, Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Kumasi, Ghana

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19184/cerimre.v7i2.52505

ABSTRACT 

This study investigated the use of cassava starch as a binder in producing briquettes from Plantain peduncles and Acacia mangium pods, focusing on their fuel properties and the effects of binder viscosity (8 cP, 14 cP, 29 cP) and quantity (30 g, 50 g, 70 g) on physico-mechanical characteristics. Acacia mangium pods showed superior fuel properties, including higher gross calorific value (17.68 ± 0.13 MJ/kg), lower ash content (3.60%), and higher volatile matter (90.35%) compared to Plantain peduncles (12.58 ± 0.37 MJ/kg, 31.60%, and 63.67%, respectively). Conversely, Plantain peduncle briquettes exhibited better mechanical properties, including higher relaxed density (504.09 – 565.17 kg/m³), compressive strength (8.50 – 19.99 N/mm), and impact resistance index (166.66 – 500%). In contrast, Acacia mangium briquettes were more prone to expansion, with greater increases in length (16.35 – 42.13%) and diameter (0.88 –2.45%) compared to Plantain peduncles (1.43 – 30% and 1.06 – 2.16%). Statistical analysis confirmed significant (p < 0.05) effects of binder properties on briquette performance, revealing distinct influences for each biomass type, with more complex interactions for Acacia mangium. Optimizing binder characteristics improves briquette quality, demonstrating the potential of both biomass types for sustainable fuel production.

Keywords: Plantain peduncles, Acacia mangium pods, binder viscosity, binder quantity and centipoise (cP).