Effects of Binding Ratios on Some Densification Characteristics of Groundnut Shell Briquettes

This study has revealed that groundnut shell can be compacted to a stabled state with bindingmaterial. The densification of the groundnut shells aid in transporting and storing, making it more economicallythan is possible at unprocessed state. The effects of binder (cassava starch gel) show that the highest lateraland axial expansion was 1.91 and 6% respectively. Maximum density, relax density, relaxation ratio rangesbetween 411 to 441 kg/m3, 201 to 202 kg/m3, 2.03 to 2.19, respectively. Other results are durability in therange of 69.89 to 93.52%, while the calorific value ranges between 19.82 to 21.97 MJ/kg. The overall,briquettes performances showed that 20% binder have the most outstanding resultin terms of durability. It wasfound that the amount of binder used have significant influence on the properties of the briquettes.