Properties of Fuel Briquettes from Offices Paper Waste

Abstract

This research aimed to study the properties of fuel briquette made of office waste paper. The paper briquette was processed as follows: office waste paper was shred in strips of 0.5 x 29.5 cm by a paper shredder. Next, it was thoroughly mixed with binder material, glue. Then it was hand-molded by a cylindrical plastic with diameter and height of 4 cm. It was shown in the hand-molding process that the appropriate ratio of waste paper to glue was 10:1.Dry period equaled 8 days. Furthermore, analysis of physical properties and combustion efficiency revealed that dried weight, moisture content, density and compressive strength value equaled 28.36 ± 0.42 g, 4.58 ± 0.27%, 0.56 ± 0.02 g/cm³ and 43.8 ± 0.89 MPa, respectively. When soaked in water, the paper briquette’s stability time was 666 min. Gross heat of combustion as received equaled 3,277 cal/g, which was higher than the properties criteria of fuel briquette’s heating value from industrial waste (3,000 cal/g). Hydrogen content on a dry basis equaled 5.27%. According to the home use test, the rising of water temperature was statistically significant (P<0.05) or equaled 6.93 ± 0.82^oC. Extinguishing time equaled 32 ± 2.55 min. When thoroughly combusted, the remaining ash equaled 5.71 ± 0.66 g, or approximately 20.13%, which was slightly higher than the properties criteria of fuel briquette’s heating value from industrial waste (20%) but none of residual solid waste was found. In conclusion, office waste paper can be used as fuel briquette, but increasing the heating value and reducing ash should be considered for improvement.