Evaluation of energy potentials of briquettes produced from maize and sawmill residues

This study investigated the energy potentials of briquettes made from maize residues (cobs, husks and stalks) and sawmills residues (sawdust,  wood shavings and wood chips). These residues were collected from a farm and sawmill located in Epe, Lagos State. They were burnt and converted to briquettes using a cylindrical mould (70 x 100 mm) for maize residues and a rectangular mould (30 x70 x100 mm) for sawmill residues. They were subjected to proximate, elemental and chemical analyses using American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) and Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) standards. Maize residues briquette had moisture content (11%), volatile matter content (9.6%), ash content (12.6%),  density (287.1 kg/m3) and calorific value (2899.7 Kcal/kg). Sawmill residues briquette had moisture content (12.6%), volatile matter (15.8%), ash content (14.8%), density (332.4 kg/m3) and calorific value (3259 Kcal/kg). The Fuel Value Index of maize residues briquette was 207.3 and sawmill  residues briquette was 197.3. A t-test statistical tool was used to determine whether there was a significant difference between the two samples. The absolute t value calculated (=0.0966) was less than the tabulated value (2.074) for equality of energy potentials. This revealed that energy  properties of briquettes produced from maize and sawmill residues is not significantly different. Hence, both briquettes would be good sources of  domestic energy. Keywords: Briquette, Biomass, Energy Potentials, Maize Residues, Sawmill Residues