PSEUDO WAX BRIQUETTES: MIXTURE OF BANANA PSEUDOSTEM AND PARAFFIN WAX

Abstract

The escalating environmental challenges posed by fossil fuel consumption, notably the emission of greenhouse gases leading to climate change and air pollution, necessitate the exploration of sustainable energy alternatives. In parallel, the effective management of agricultural biomass waste remains a critical concern. This study addresses both issues by investigating the production of fuel briquettes derived from banana pseudostems and paraffin wax, aiming to provide a renewable energy source while mitigating biomass waste.

Banana cultivation generates substantial agricultural residues, particularly pseudostems, which are often underutilized and discarded. Converting these residues into fuel briquettes not only offers a sustainable energy solution but also addresses waste management challenges. Previous research has demonstrated the potential of banana crop waste in briquette production, highlighting its viability as an alternative fuel source. 

The integration of paraffin wax as a binder in briquette production aims to enhance the calorific value and structural integrity of the briquettes. This study evaluates the combustion characteristics, mechanical strength, and overall efficiency of the produced briquettes, contributing to the development of sustainable energy solutions and effective biomass waste management strategies. The researchers assessed the performance of the pseudo wax briquettes by evaluating key combustion parameters:

Ignition Time: This metric indicates the duration required to initiate combustion in the briquettes. A shorter ignition time suggests a more reactive fuel source, which is advantageous for practical applications. Studies have shown that the ignition time can vary significantly based on the composition of the briquettes. For instance, composite bio-coal briquettes incorporating banana waste have demonstrated ignition times ranging from approximately 64 to 181 seconds, depending on the specific blend and binder used. 

RESEARCHGATE

Burning Duration: This parameter measures the total time the briquette sustains combustion. A longer burning duration is desirable as it indicates a more efficient and prolonged energy release. Research indicates that the burning time of briquettes can vary based on their composition. For example, certain banana peel charcoal briquettes have exhibited burning times up to 114 minutes, highlighting the potential for extended energy output. 

SEMANTIC SCHOLAR

Water Boiling Efficiency: This test evaluates the briquette's effectiveness in transferring heat by measuring the time required to bring a specific volume of water to a boil. Higher efficiency reflects better performance. Studies have demonstrated a relationship between the calorific value of briquettes and their water boiling times, indicating that higher energy content can lead to reduced boiling durations. 

ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIETY

For statistical analysis, the researchers employed the following methods:

Mean Calculation: Determining the average values of the measured parameters to provide a central tendency of the data.

T-Test: A statistical test used to compare the means of two groups, assessing whether there is a significant difference between them.

Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC): This metric quantifies the fuel efficiency by calculating the fuel consumption rate relative to the energy produced. It is expressed as the rate of fuel consumption divided by the power output. In the context of internal combustion engines, SFC is typically measured in units such as grams per kilowatt-hour (g/kWh)

By analyzing these parameters, the study aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the pseudo wax briquettes' performance, offering insights into their potential as a sustainable fuel alternative. The study's findings indicate that pseudo wax briquettes offer distinct advantages over traditional charcoal briquettes in certain performance metrics:

Ignition Time: Pseudo wax briquettes ignite significantly faster, requiring only 7 seconds compared to 549 seconds for charcoal briquettes. This rapid ignition is beneficial for reducing the time and energy needed to start a fire.

Burning Duration: While charcoal briquettes have a longer burning duration of 3,276 seconds, pseudo wax briquettes maintain a substantial burn time of 2,561 seconds. Although slightly shorter, the burning duration of pseudo wax briquettes is adequate for various cooking and heating applications.

Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC): Pseudo wax briquettes demonstrate superior fuel efficiency with an SFC of 0.36 g/mL, markedly lower than the 1.11 g/mL observed for charcoal briquettes. This indicates that pseudo wax briquettes consume less fuel to achieve the same energy output, making them a more economical and efficient choice for tasks such as boiling water.

These results suggest that pseudo wax briquettes are a viable alternative to traditional charcoal, offering benefits in terms of ignition speed and fuel efficiency. However, the slightly shorter burning duration may influence their suitability depending on specific usage requirements. The study's findings indicate a statistically significant difference between pseudo wax briquettes and traditional charcoal briquettes concerning ignition time and burning duration. Specifically, pseudo wax briquettes exhibit a markedly shorter ignition time, igniting in just 7 seconds, whereas charcoal briquettes require 549 seconds to ignite. Conversely, charcoal briquettes demonstrate a longer burning duration of 3,276 seconds, compared to 2,561 seconds for pseudo wax briquettes. These differences suggest that while pseudo wax briquettes offer the advantage of rapid ignition, charcoal briquettes provide a more extended burn time, which may be preferable for applications requiring sustained heat output.