The proximate analysis and mechanical properties of rice husk charcoal briquette

The research was carried out to study the briquetting of rice husk (RH) charcoal combined with tapioca flour. Tapioca flour was chosen because it is cheap, bonds well and easily available. RH charcoal was prepared by carbonisation process using a furnace at a temperature ranging from 400 – 500 °C. Charcoal contents at 40, 50, 60, 70% (w/w) and starch paste of 5, 7 and 9% (w/w) were mixed prior to undergoing cold pressing process. The RH charcoal briquette was analysed for its proximate properties i.e. moisture content, volatile matter, ash content, fixed carbon, density, and calorific value. Its mechanical property, the compression strength was also evaluated and its mean value was 4650.38 KPa. Charcoal content of 50% and starch of 7% produced briquette with the highest compression strength. The best compression strength will reduce defect of briquette during transportation or handling process.