Performance Evaluation of the Physical and Combustion Properties of Faecal Sludge Derived Briquettes Using Different Binding Materials

Abstract

This research aimed at evaluating the performance of faecal sludge briquettes on the quality of briquettes produced in terms physical and combustion properties. Specifically, the research determined the physical and combustion properties of briquette produced from faecal sludge bond with cassava peel, sunflower cake, banana peel and waste paper binders. Physical and combustion properties of the binder materials and briquettes produced were analysed in the Water Resource Engineering laboratory. The laboratory analysis of the combustion properties showed that the Sunflower cake binder had highest calorific value of 16.24 MJ/Kg when compared to other binders including banana peels, cassava peels and waste papers. Similarly, sunflower cake bond briquettes were found to have highest calorific value of 10.81 MJ/Kg than other binders bound briquettes. The drying rates were higher for waste paper, a bond briquette which was observed to be within 6 days from the day of briquette production. The density of faecal sludge briquette was higher in banana peels bond briquettes having the density of 0.99±0.062 g/cm3. The use of binders has significantly improved the physical and combustion properties and thus the performance of the faecal sludge derived briquettes. It is recommended to use faecal sludge bond with sunflower cake binder.