Some Physical and Mechanical Characteristics of Briquettes of White Afara (Terminalia superba) Sawdust and Organic Binders

Some engineering characteristics of briquettes produced from white afara (Terminalia superba) sawdust and binder agents (phytoplankton scum, banana peel, yam peels and cassava peels) at different binder ratio (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50% by weight of each feedstock) and at compaction pressure of 15 MPa was investigated. As the binder ratio increased from 10.0 to 50.0%, the bulk density increased from 103.87 to 159.48 kg/m 3 for phytoplankton, 117.61 to 178.32 kg/m 3 for banana peels, 126.04 to 185.62 kg/m 3 for yam and 130.43 to 198.51 kg/m 3 for cassava peels. The compressed density, relaxed density, compressive strength, compaction ratio, relaxation ratio and shattering index of briquettes increased with increase in binder ratio from 10.0 to 50.0%. The cassava peels bonded briquettes had the best physical and mechanical characteristics qualities compared with other biomass bonded briquettes.