Enhancing the Physical Properties of Briquettes from Sawdust of Piptadenia africana Through Combination with Ceiba pentandra

This study sought to determine the effect of combining sawdust of Piptadenia africana with Ceiba pentandra on the physical and mechanical properties of briquettes produced at room temperature using low compacting pressure without a binder. Briquettes were produced from a mixture of sawdust of Piptadenia africana and Ceiba pentandra. Particle size of sawdust used for this study was 1mm or less. The two materials were combined at mixing proportions: 80:20, 60:40, 40:60 and 20:80 (Piptadenia africana: Ceiba pentandra). The results indicated that the relaxed density of briquettes produced from the mixed materials ranged from 534 to 766 kg/m3 whilst that of compressive strength in cleft ranged from 12.46 to 60.28 N/mm. At compacting pressure levels between 30 and 50 MPa, all the briquettes produced from the mixed materials had adequate compressive strength in cleft. The impact resistance index of briquettes from the mixed materials was adequate and ranged from 128 to 500%. The compressive strength in cleft and impact resistance index of all the briquettes produced from the mixed species were better than those produced from Piptadenia africana only. Additionally, at 5% level of significance, the relaxed density, compressive strength in cleft and impact resistance index of briquettes were significantly affected by the biomass raw material and compacting pressure. Thus, the addition of sawdust of Ceiba pentandra to that of Piptadenia africana could significantly improve the physical and mechanical properties of briquettes produced from sawdust of Piptadenia africana. Therefore, production of briquettes from mixed timber species should be encouraged.