Utilization of Groundnut Shells for the Production and Characterization of Bio-Briquettes for Household Cooking

Abstract

Agricultural waste, such as groundnut shells, can pose environmental pollution, fire hazards, and soil degradation if not properly managed. Therefore, recycling groundnut shells into briquettes as an alternative energy source for households may help mitigate these problems. This research aimed to utilize groundnut shells for the production and characterization of bio-briquettes for household cooking. Groundnut shell samples were obtained from a groundnut milling site in Kuriya, Zamfara State. The results obtained using standard analytical methods were as follows: density (1.2 g/mL), moisture content (3.650 ± 0.048%), volatile matter (11.60 ± 0.004%), ash content (1.840 ± 0.029%), fixed carbon (45.740 ± 0.031%), and calorific value (4984.730 ± 0.169 kJ/g). Combustion properties such as ignition time were 4 minutes and 53 seconds, with no emission of smoke or odor; red sparks were also observed. The boiling time was 14 minutes and 23 seconds, with a burning rate of 1.5 g of briquette per minute during combustion. The physical and combustion properties show that the briquette produced from groundnut shells is effective, affordable, and environmentally friendly compared to firewood and charcoal. Bio-briquettes can be adopted as an alternative energy source for domestic cooking.