Optimization of Eichhornia crassipes Invasive Agro-Waste for Improved Combustion Characteristics

Abstract

Process optimization is a key strategy for enhancing product performance. This study investigates the influence of process parameters on the combustion behavior of solid fuel briquettes made from water hyacinth (WH), known as Eichhornia crassipes, using empirical modeling and parametric optimization. The experimental design was structured according to Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with a Central Composite Design (CCD). The input parameters considered included a particle size range of 0.5 to 1.5 mm, compression pressures from 3 MPa to 7 MPa, and binder ratios between 10% and 30%. The effects of each parameter on combustion kinetics were evaluated, and the constructed model was validated through analysis of variance (ANOVA). Ignition time and combustion rate were the main experimental outputs, and both numerical and physical experiments were statistically validated. This approach aims to develop a predictive model that relates ignition duration and combustion rate to the independent operational parameters. The optimized parameters, achieving a desirability of 1 out of 100 solutions, include a particle size of 0.763042 mm, a compaction pressure of 3.08724 MPa, and a binder ratio of 13.4529 %, resulting in an ignition duration of 70.8386 seconds and a combustion rate of 2.24221 g.min-1. This research significantly contributes to the sustainable valorization of agricultural waste into valueadded biomass energy production, supporting the development of renewable, secure, and economical energy solutions while effectively transforming waste into valuable resources.