Value addition of coal fines and sawdust to briquettes using molasses as a binder

Abstract

In this study, the co-briquetting of coal fines saw dust and molasses as a binder is explored as an option for value addition of the wastes generated in the various industries. The effect of the saw dust concentration and the molasses concentration was investigated through measuring the briquette's calorific value, fixed carbon, compressive strength and shatter index. Addition of Ca(OH)2 was done to effect removal of sulphur from the briquette. Measurements of the briquettes physiochemical properties such as moisture content, ash content and sulphur content were measured using the standard methods. As the saw dust and molasses concentration increased, the calorific value, fixed carbon, compressive strenghth increased by 16%, 8% and 50% respectively. Whereas, the shatter index decreased by 146% as the saw dust and molasses are therefore critical in the production of a high quality coal-saw dust-molasses briquette which does not shatter.