Determination of physical and combustion properties of corncobs/rice bran briquettes with cassava and corn starch binder

This study investigated the physical and combustion properties of briquettes produced from agricultural waste (corncobs and rice bran) and a mixture of the particles at 6%, 14%, and 19% corn and cassava starch binder. A quantitative and experimental design was adopted for the study. The briquettes produced were analyzed for ash content (Ac), volatile matter (VM), fixed carbon (Fc), moisture content, heating value (HV), ignition and burning rate, water resistance, density and shatter index. The result revealed that the pure corn cobs got a high performance in terms of the physical and combustion properties of a good briquette. Also, the mixing ratios of 75% corn cobs with 25% rice bran and 25% corn cobs with 75% rice bran with high starch levels can be observed respectively. Consequently, the produced briquettes bonded with cassava starch binder gave better performance based on the obtained result on the different concentrations compared to corn starch binder. In any mixing ratios, briquettes with cassava starch binder can match or compete in terms of their properties in pure and commercialized based on the optimal value of its properties that the produced briquettes also acquire. Therefore, the produced briquettes provide better and more efficient quality than the commercialized briquettes.