EVALUATION OF PHYSICO-MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BIOMASS BRIQUETTES FROM MIXING OF WATER HYACINTH PLANTS AND SESAME STALKS

Elkishky, A. M; Eissa, A. H; Omar, M. N; Elsisi, S. F.

doi:10.21608/maje.2025.414416.1014

EVALUATION OF PHYSICO-MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BIOMASS BRIQUETTES FROM MIXING OF WATER HYACINTH PLANTS AND SESAME STALKS

Document Type : original papers

Authors

¹ Department of Agricultural and Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Menoufia University, Shebin Elkom, Egypt

² Department of Agricultural Engineering and Biosystems, Faculty of Agriculture, Menoufia University

³ Professor of Agric. & BioSystems Eng., Faculty of Agriculture, Menoufia University, Shebin El-kom, Egypt.

10.21608/maje.2025.414416.1014

Abstract

: This study aims to produce and determine the characterization of biomass briquettes derived from water hyacinth plants and sesame stalks, using starch as a binding agent. Eight biomass mixtures were formulated by varying the proportions of water hyacinth plant and sesame stalks, while maintaining a constant 10% starch content as a binding agent. The ratios of water hyacinth plants to sesame stalks ranged from 80:10 to 10:80 across treatments one to eight. Each mixture was processed into briquettes using a screw press briquetting machine. The resulting briquettes were air-dried for 20 days in a ventilated environment before being tested. Physico-mechanical properties assessed included density, shatter resistance, dimensional stability, and compressive strength. Results indicated that increasing the proportion of sesame stalks significantly enhanced briquette performance across all measured parameters. The highest values of briquette density, shatter resistance, dimensional stability, and compressive strength were 1137.51 kg/m³, 98.43%, 99.19%, and 6.27 MPa, respectively, and were recorded in treatment 8, which contained 10% water hyacinth and 80% sesame stalks. This study demonstrates a sustainable approach to managing water hyacinth by blending it with sesame stalks to produce environmentally friendly biomass briquettes. This method not only contributes to the reduction of invasive aquatic plants but also promotes the utilization of agricultural waste in clean energy production.

Keywords