Properties of Charcoal Briquettes from Sawdust and Rice Hull Chars

Abstract

The preliminary study on properties of charcoal briquettes from rice hull and sawdust chars is reported. A briquette was made in cylindrical shape at diameter and length of 3 and 4.5 cm, respectively. Their densities were between 0.36 to 0.56 g per cc. Starch of as 6 to 10% was used as a binder. Briquette properties, i.e. density, impact strength, volatile matter, fixed carbon and ash contents, heat of combustion as well as water boiling test, were analyzed. The properties of sawdust charcoal briquette were in general better than wood charcoal from some fast – growing species (epil – epil and red gum). However some characters from water boiling test of the briquette were not as good as those of rhizophora charcoal. The test results indicated that the saw – dust charcoal briquette is suitable for cooking. The properties of rice hull charcoal briquette were poorer in quality than the others because rice-hull charcoal briquette has high ash content and low heat of combustion. The water boiling test of this charcoal briquette also confirmed that the rice hull charcoal briquette is not suitable for cooking.