Innovation in the Briquetting

Process: A Study on the Correlation

Between Preheating the Input
Materials with the Final Product
Moisture Content Consistency
Name of Researchers:
 
Glen Daniel T. Demafeliz
Nic Jason M. Gelogo
Anna Rosel A. Limpañgog
Carl John B. Mantac
Joemarie T. Ramos
Carl John P. Trespuentes
Nesty Cliff S. Yanson

 
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, TUP VISAYAS 
 Technical Description of the Project:
In a study by Romallosa, Hornada & Paul (2011) Production of
Briquettes from Biomass and Urban Wastes Using a Household
Briquette Molder. It was found out that the final products moisture
content is not consistent, However the study met the DIN 51731
standards that requires fuel to have a moisture less than 12%
Another study by Tamilvanan (2013) Preparation of Biomass
Briquettes using Various Agro-Residues and Waste Papers. It was
found out that the moisture content of the briquettes fluctuates
depending on the climatic conditions of the drying environment, as the
temperature and humidity change.
 Technical Description of the Project:
Background of the Project
A published study about the Effect of the Briquette Sizes and Moisture
Contents on Combustion Characteristics of Composite Briquettes
(Waweru, Chirchir) states that an increase in the moisture content of
the final product reduces its calorific value and vice versa.
Moisture content in briquettes plays a large role considering all of its
physical composition. Moisture in the briquettes could affect its
combustibility, calorific value, density, and etc.
 Technical Description of the Project:
Background of the Project
Once the addition in the briquetting process of preheating the input
materials, we can conclude and achieve an accurate moisture content
in our final product and can lessen the sun drying in the end process.
Primary beneficiary of the improved process will be the communities
producing briquettes as their livelihood and fuel. In that way they can
produce products with consistency when it comes to its combustibility,
calorific value, density, and etc.
 Technical Description of the Project:
Background of the Project
Also, those small scales industries can now substitute briquettes as
their fuel having consistent moisture content for the betterment of their
products.
Lastly, improved briquetting process can carry a less time-consuming
production. Supposing a briquetting process without preheating the
input materials will still need to dry the briquettes in final process to
achieve the desired moisture content, since the moisture of input
material and the binders will combine it will need more time to dry.
With the improved process by preheating the input materials only the
moisture content of the binder will be considered, thus giving as less
time to dry the briquettes.
 Conceptual Model

Raw material PRE-HEATING Mix the Input Material

Preparation INPUT MATERIAL with Binder

PRODUCT
Sun Drying of
Load the mixture in the (Briquettes) Briquettes
Briquetting Machine Moisture Content is (Optional)
gathered
 Researchable Problem

Recent studies shows that moisture content

in the final product (briquette) is not
consistent creating differences in terms of
combustibility, calorific value, density, and
etc.
 Perceived Solution

By improving the briquetting process, an

Addition of Preheating the Input Materials
in briquetting process we can correlate the
final products’ moisture content and the
effects on its combustibility, calorific value,
density, and etc.
 General Objectives of the Study

The general objective of this study is to

improve the briquetting process in terms of
moisture content consistency.
 Specific Objectives of the Study
Specifically, the study aims:

1. To improve the briquetting process where the input

materials will be preheated for 3 hours to correlate it with
the final product moisture content consistency and the
effects on its combustibility, calorific value, density, and
etc.
2. To determine the span of the improved briquetting
process in 1 cycle and compare it to the conventional
process.
3. To determine the power requirement of the improved
briquetting process in 1 cycle and compare it to the
conventional process.
 Methodology

The study will also employ an

experimental research design
utilizing the pretest-posttest control
group design.
Independent variable:
• Drying the input materials in a specific time and temperature
 
Dependent variable:
• Consistency of moisture content
 
Control variables:
• Duration of drying
• Temperature of drying
• Type of input products to be dried
• Amount of input products to be dried
 Scope And Limitations
This study aims to determine if there’s a correlation
between preheating the input materials with the final
products consistency.

We aim to improve the quality of briquetting process

by adding a Preheating process. We will test the
effectivity of the improved process by comparing the
data gathered to the conventional process.