DETERMINATION OF THE CALORIFIC VALUE, IGNITION

TIME, AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF NAPIER BIO-

BRIQUETTES

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 Table of Contents

 Abstract:............................................................................................................................2

 Introduction:.....................................................................................................................2

 Materials and methods:....................................................................................................3

1. Materials:.......................................................................................................................3

2. Experiment:...................................................................................................................5

3. Testing:...........................................................................................................................6

4. Methodology for the chemical composition:...............................................................6

 Results and discussion:.....................................................................................................7

 Conclusion:......................................................................................................................10

References...............................................................................................................................11

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  Abstract:

The Napier Grass Bio-Briquettes was to find the values of ignition time and calorific

calculations. The chemical compositions were also investigated and their values were found.

The briquettes were produced by using a circular die with a diameter of 50mm. Napier Grass

is usually tall and for this experiment it was milled and cut down to a height smaller than 250

μm. The Bomb Calorimeter was used to find out the calculations necessary to get the calorific

values. The average ignition time was found out to be 25.2 seconds and the calorific values

were 16.3970 MJ/Kg. These values were further analyzed to find that whether it can produce

good quality bio-briquettes and has the capability to provide best result. The hemicellulose

content was 18.3% which was quite low and this was the reason that it is not able to produce

quality bio-briquettes. Some recommendations are also analyzed like hybridizing with natural

fiber to get better results.

Keywords: Napier grass, bio-briquettes, ignition time, calorific value, chemical composition.

 Introduction:

Biomass briquettes is a type of green technology that is being used for the production of

energy and specifically used for the production of heat. This heat generated can be used for

many purposes in homes and other industrial processes to further utilize it in the generation

of electricity. Using this briquette is more efficient and sustainable for both economic and

environmental perspectives as it was due to its high output [ CITATION DrS07 \l 1033 ]. In the

utilization of Napier grass for the development of biofuel, it is important to conduct thermal

properties and structural characterization. The Napier gas can also be converted into a

pyrolysis oil that is used as a bio-oil and these components are rich in highly oxygenated

compounds which provides us the information about the natural attributes of the Napier grass

[ CITATION KOb14 \l 1033 ]. It is very important to understand the composition of the products

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being made from the combination of certain compounds to predict its yield, productivity, and

the sub-products formed during this conversion process.

This bio-briquette technology has been most commonly divided into two main categories

depending upon the advanced technologies being applied. One is the Europe based and the

other one is American in which both these countries have gone in two distinct directions

[ CITATION Adm186 \l 1033 ] . This basic process involved in this bio-briquette is that the

material is modified by resetting its thickness or compacting it to design the characteristics

according to our use. All these changes are made through chemical and physical contacts.

The compacting process is done by using a plasticizing instrument that are used in used in

various countries. The utilization of biomass is environmentally favorable and help in the

reduction of biomass and can also act to neutralize carbon dioxide that are excessively

produced in the environment [ CITATION Nip19 \l 1033 ]. The use waste to generate useful

energy can be termed as biomass and this allows us to convert energy into various other

forms. The study of densification of agricultural waste that is done through briquetting

process is not only helpful for the human beings but also helps the environment.

 Materials and methods:

1. Materials:

The Napier grass that is used for the experiment is collected from Kampung Bukit Payung,

Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia and it was around 4-6 months old. A Napier grass is an

important perennial crop that is a kind of one of the tropical crops named as Poaceae. These

kinds of Napier grasses are originated from African countries but these are now also found in

most of the tropical countries such as Malaysia from where this crop was used for this

experiment. The cultivation of Napier grass started in 1920’s and because of its rapid

growing process it become very common in 1950’s in entire Malaysia. Some of the

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characteristics of this Napier grass is that it is robust, rhizomatous, and have a vigorous root

system. The mature form of Napier grass has four or more internodes grown on it which is

usually present on most of the grasses that are at least 6 months old. For this experiment, we

were more considered to the stem part and only that portion was used and analyzed. These

stem roots are then being chopped off into smaller lengths with the help of a chopping

machine and it was made as short as 9 cm in length. Then it was placed in ZG Series Vacuum

Dryer that is used to remove the moisture content values for about 10%. The vacuum dryer

setting is set to 60 degree Celsius and it was kept in it for 48 hours with continuous heating.

After putting it in the vacuum drier and heating it to remove the moisture from the material

for 48 hours, we will place the oven dried Napier into the grinder to convert it into smaller

particle size that is no more than 250 micrometers. It is important to understand that the

removing of the moisture form the Napier is very important as without adequately removing

the moisture and the grinder will not work properly to chop it off into smaller particles. After

Figure 1: Size comparison before and after grinding

grinding, the Napier is not exactly chopped off into a powder form but in fact is converted

into very tiny particles and after successful grinding process, most of these particles are

converted into equal sized particles. The comparison of particle size before and after the

grinding process is shown in the following figure.

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 2. Experiment:

The INSTARON Universal Testing Machine of model number 600DX was used in the

experiment for the densification of the material to produce briquette. This device includes

electromechanical and hydraulic processes to perform static testing including compression,

bending, and other mechanical testing. There are different models of this machine available

that differs on the various features that it contains. The basic functioning of this machine is

simple and is same in all models. Firstly, a load cell is installed held on the top of the load

frame and the material in placed inside of the fixes and grips of the machine that is attached

to it. The material then travels to the center vertically and is being located in a form of a

column.

The 50 grams of Napier sample was put into the mold that is of 50 micrometers. The material

needs to be put very carefully and need to be set in a way to it can hold pressure on it. Now

the pressure is applied with the help of piston after putting the sample on the mold and the

temperature is maintained at 170 degree Celsius. The temperature is kept constant for at least

30 minutes unless the length becomes 7 mm. The pressure in this process is also kept

constant and after cooling off, the sample is kept out from the mold. The sample that is taken

out is shown in the figure.

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Figure 2: Instron 600DX Universal Testing Machine

3. Testing:

In this experiment, the calorific values are obtained with the help of Bomb Calorimeter

according to the ASTM standards. The exacts standards of the American Standards for

Testing and Materials are of code number ASTM D5865-13. A Bomb Calorimeter is

typically used for the calculation of the heat of combustion that is produced in a particular

reaction. The reaction is being done within the Calorimeter and high pressure is maintained

under it. By the help of this, the fuel's burnt calorific value can be calculated and it can be

defined as the number of calorie units released after the combustion of the fixed mass per unit

volume of fuel. The ignition and burning time were calculated by using a method proposed

by Onuegbu et al. The sample is ignited and burnt from the bottom and is allowed to burn

until is extinguish itself. From here, the ignition time was calculated from which the ignition

time is defined as the distance that is covered from the flame to propagate the flame during

the burning process divided by the total time taken in seconds.

Distance burn
Ignitiontime=
Total time taken(sec)

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 4. Methodology for the chemical composition:

The chemical composition of the Napier grass fiber is calculated and analyzed with the help

of TAPPI standards (Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Associations). The

hemicelluloses fraction can be determined by finding out the difference between the

holocellulose and alpha-cellulose fraction. The holocellulose content is the polysaccharide

fraction of wood and it is made up of cellulose and these are obtained from the removal of the

extractive and lignin from the original material. Alpha cellulose is the major forming

component of the wood pulp and it is made up of multiple number of sugar molecules that are

combined together in the form of a chain. During the utilization of this in various processes

such as in making of paper, this long chain compound is broken down into a smaller

molecule and then are reformed to provide strength to the paper.

During the pulp analysis, the pulp yield was calculated gravimetrically by determining the

dried weight of the wood pulp by the initial weight of the pulp. This gravimetric approach is

useful as it helps to more accurate and precise results that are required for our

experimentation. This precision is very important by important for the analyzation of the

chemical composition and this would greatly impact our end results. The results are matched

with the TAPPI standards in which both solid and solvent values are given. This gravimetric

method of yield analyzation is also used in the calculation of different components that are

present in the environment. In our experiment, the amount of residual lignin was determined

from the pulp.

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Figure 3: Source was taken from Researchgate.com

 Results and discussion:

The residue’s mean moisture values were determined within the operating humidity range of

8-12 percent which is the optimal condition for the briquetting process. The moisture content

that was removed on purpose had a value of 9.64 percent which is optimal value for this

process. The experimental value that is required for moisture content removal is the 10

percent for more accurate and efficient results which is almost similar to our used value of

moisture removal. This moisture content removal from the sample is done in the start of

experiment and is useful during the chopping and the crushing of the wood pulp. If excessive

moisture is present then the chopper would not be able to completely and easily convert these

long-sized particles into a similar size. The comparison of the chemical composition of the

Napier grass with that of other perennial grasses is also done and is shown in the table. The

analyzation of the table shows that the dried matter yield of Napier grass is 40 percent and its

value is quite high in comparison with other grasses. The lignin percentage present in Napier

grass is 18.3 percent which is also a good value that can be helpful in the conversion of it into

various forms of energy. The ash percentage produced is also quite low and its value is 3.7

percent.

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The calorific value that was found to be 16.3970 MJ/Kg and this result also indicate that the

raw material used in the experiment has an excellent potential for its usage as a briquette. The

experimentally determined values which are already being defined and standardized suggests

that the values are calorific must be in between 12-16 MJ/Kg that is required for the optimal

functioning in the briquette. The calorific value of our material suggest that it can be used as

a heat producing unit and would be an excellent conductor of flame. The comparison of the

calorific value of the Napier grass sample used in our sample with than of other material such

that Rice Husk and Woody Charcoal whose values are around 14 and 13 MJ/Kg respectively.

In the comparison of the igniting time and the burning time of the Napier grass briquette, the

igniting value 24-27 seconds with an average value of 25.2 seconds. Similarly, the burning

time varies between the 1.45-2.78 minutes with an average value of 1.97 minutes.

Run Time (sec) Burning time (min)

1 27 1.80
2 23 2.33
3 24 1.48
4 25 1.45
5 27 2.78

Figure 4: Igniting and burning times of Napier Grass Fiber

The Napier grass fiber can be treated with the changing concentrations of the alkaline

solutions that can used for the determination of the tensile strength percentages. The most

efficient result is obtained by the treatment of Napier grass with 10% alkaline solution that

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gives the higher percentage of the tensile strength. The treatment with alkaline solutions

completely changes the morphology of the other thermal properties that are related with the

flexural strengths of the Napier grass. The Lignin values that was calculated was almost 18.3

percent which not quite optimal but is comparable other grass fiber types. Lignin is basically

an aromatic heterogeneous polymer that is essential for providing mechanical support to the

system in which it is used. For example, if it is used in the manufacturing of the paper, then it

is responsible for providing support and strength to hold the material together. Lignin is also

an important component that must be present for the growth of plants. These are used for the

providing mechanical support to the trees and also protect from various diseases that can

come in the way of food supply. Lignin can sometimes be removed completely in mostly

extreme chemical composition environment under high temperature and pressure. But the

removal of lignin is a very expensive process and the lignin value that came in our

experiment will be used as it is in the making of briquette.

 Conclusion:

This work was done for the manufacturing of the Napier grass briquette with the help of

using the instrument INSTARON Universal Testing Machine. The purpose of this experiment

was to find out the capability of Napier grass to be used as a bio-fuel that can be converted

into useful forms of energies. The results obtained and the experimental values of the lignin

and of calorific values were not 100 percent efficient but suitable enough to be used for the

making of a briquette. The calorific value was not quite high in comparison with the coal that

has an average value of 23.29 MJ/Kg. The results have also suggested that the ignition values

are quite high but the burning time was not optimal which comes in the way of its efficiency.

So, we can assume that only with the addition of some other components the Napier grass can

be used as a raw material for briquette. If we become able to utilize Napier grass completely

for the manufacturing of the briquette then this would be the most sustainable system for the

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production of the bio-fuel. This would be an environmentally friendly system and help to

reduce the large amount of waste that is generated all over the world. This would also be cost

efficient and the international energy crisis especially in underdeveloped countries can be

reduced.

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M.Haameem J.A., M. A. (2015, September 16). Mechanical properties of Napier Grass

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https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282334722_Mechanical_properties_of_Nap

ier_Grass_FibrePolyester_Composites

Magcale-Macandog, D. (1997). Napier grass strips and livestocks. USA: Word Press.

Milan, J. (1966). Journal of the American Society of Agronomy. The Society, 156-197.

Nipon. (2019, March 12). Feasibility of Biogas Production from Napier Grass. From

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https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187661021402894X

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https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/briquetting-process

Reddy, K. O. (2014, June 10). Preparation, Chemical Composition, Characterization, and

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https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264090554_Preparation_Chemical_Compos

ition_Characterization_and_Properties_of_Napier_Grass_Paper_Sheets

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