Performance Evaluation of Bio-Coal Briquette Produced From Soybean Stalks

Abstract

The performance evaluation of bio-coal briquettes of various compositions using coal and soybean stalks was carried out. Cassava starch was used as binding agent while calcium hydroxide was used as a desulphurizing agent. The samples of coal and soybean stalks were pulverized separately and blended in proportions of 100:0, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, 20:80, 0:100 % by weight respectively, and densified at 10MPa and 60s dwell time in molds to produce the briquettes with the first and last compositions being controls. The physical properties, combustion analysis, proximate and ultimate analyses were carried to ascertain the composition of the bio-coal briquettes with the best performance. The results showed that briquette with coal to soybean stalks composition of 60:40% had an average energy value of about 21 MJ/kg which is sufficient to produce heat required for household cooking and small-scale industrial applications. It also had better ignition time, burning time and water boiling test, and would potentially have less adverse effect on the environment. It therefore have good potentials for deployment as eco-friendly alternative fuel for domestic heating application and small industries. Furthermore, the adoption of the production of this fuel for massive application will be a great opportunity for implementation of United Nation’s waste-to-wealth drive while greatly impacting on disposal strategies.

Keywords: Bio-coal, Briquette, Soybean stalk, Calorific value, Proximate analysis, Performance evaluation

DOI: 10.7176/JETP/16-1-01

Publication date: January 28^th 2026