Experimental Evaluation of Calorific Value, Combustion Behavior, and Energy Efficiency of Rice Husk Briquettes for Agro-processing
Udeh I. Chukwuka *
Department of Pure and Applied Physics, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.
G. O. Idemudia
Department of Pure and Applied Physics, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.
John F. Wansah
Department of Pure and Applied Physics, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.
Abel Jacob
Department of Pure and Applied Physics, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.
Moses E. Onudibiah
Department of Pure and Applied Physics, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.
Ameh E. Michael
Department of Pure and Applied Physics, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.
Abraham A. Maigari
Department of Pure and Applied Physics, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.
Benjamin J. Emo
Department of Pure and Applied Physics, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Rice husk is a residue of rice milling that can be densified into solid fuel for small-scale agro-processing. This study examines the potential of rice husk briquettes (RHB) as an alternative fuel for cassava processing. Rice husks were compressed using a screw-press extrusion system, and their energy performance was evaluated by calorimetry and combustion testing. An Adobe SMART Stove was used for practical cassava-flaking tests. The briquettes had calorific values of 14.79–15.56 MJ/kg, operational temperatures of 615–710 °C and a reported combustion efficiency of 70%, compared with 16.2 MJ/kg, 850 °C and 80% for fuelwood. In cassava-flaking trials using 5 kg of sieved cassava per test, the reported processing time was 15 min for both fuels, while fuel consumption was 3 kg for the briquettes and 5 kg for fuelwood. Because the two fuels were tested in different stove arrangements, the fuel-consumption difference cannot be attributed to fuel properties alone. The results nevertheless demonstrate the technical potential of densified rice husk as a solid fuel for rural agro-processing and provide a basis for further controlled comparisons.
Keywords: Rice husk briquettes, biomass energy, calorific value, combustion efficiency, cassava processing, agro-waste valorization, sustainable fuel