Study of the optimal ratios and properties of Charcoal briquettes from Bamboo

Abstract

The objective of this research was to study the optimal ratio and properties of charcoal briquettes from bamboo. The bamboo charcoal powders were mixed with the binder in 5 different ratios, namely 10.0:1.0:3.5, 10.0:1.5:4.0, 10.0:2.0:4.5, 10.0:2.5:5.0 and 10.0:3.0:5.5 kg per liter, respectively. Then, the mixed samples were compressed into a bar using a screw charcoal press. After the drying process, the charcoal briquette samples were employed to test the properties of charcoal briquettes and compared with the Thai Community Standard Product (TCSP) 238/2547 and to determine the optimal ratio in the produced bamboo charcoal briquettes. The research results found that the charcoal briquette ratios of 10.0:1.0:3.5, 10.0:1.5:4.0 and 10.0:2.0:4.5, 10.0:2.5:5.0 can be molded. For testing the properties of charcoal briquettes, the results showed that density, moisture content, volatile matter content combustible volume and ash content tend to increase with increasing the binder contents. While, the heat and stable carbon content tend to decrease. The most efficient use of 32.263 percent for the charcoal briquette of 10.0:1.0:3.5 ratio was obtained. The smokes and flakes were not observed for the charcoal briquette in the ratio of 10.0:1.0 :3.5, 10.0:1.5:4.0, 10.0:2.0:4.5 and 10.0:2.5:5.0. Comparing with the standard TCSP. 238/2547, the results found that all 4 charcoal briquettes passed the standard TCSP. 238/2547. The optimal ratio of the bamboo charcoal powder with binder to the was the ratio of 10.0:1.0:3.5.