Forests and Forest Product Journal

Characterization of Charcoal Lighters Produced from Selected Lignocellulosic Materials

By: Oyelere A. T.;  Afolabi S. O.;  Oluwadare A. O.;  

Abstract:

This study was undertaken to determine the combustion properties of some selected lignocellulosic materials with the aim of producing a low risk and sustainable solid charcoal lighter. Citrus sinensis peels (A), Pinus caribaea needles (B), Thaumatococcus daniellii leaves (C), Hildegardia barteri leaves (D), Monodora myristica seeds (E) and Khaya grandifoliola wood sawdust were used. Materials were milled, air‐dried, sieved and stored. Materials A, B, C D, and E were blended in equal proportions and compounded with Wood Sawdust (WS) at two ratios (10% and 15%). Data were collected on the following: bulk density, calorific value (CV), lignin content, proximate analysis [%Ash, %Fixed Carbon (FC), %Volatile Matter (VM)] and combustion properties (Combustion rate and ignition time) of the tinder samples as well as the compounded lighters using standard test procedures. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at α0.05. Average bulk density of the lighter was 10.45 ± 0.55g/m3 . Significant differences were observed in the CV of the selected tinders with highest and lowest values being 22,405.7±6.28 kJ/kg and 1,815.36±6.28 kJ/kg obtained for M. myristica seeds and C. sinensis peels, respectively. The highest and lowest CV were 30,299.42±6.28 kJ/kg and 25,634±10.65 kJ/kg obtained for AB10%WS and ABCD10%WS, respectively. The needles of P. caribaea had the highest lignin content of 44.16±0.13% while T. daniellii leaves had the lowest (12.32±0.17%). The AB10%WS was found to be the best formulation and compounding ratio as it exhibited the least ignition time (13.33±0.33s) and highest combustion rate (8x10‐3gmin‐1) with low ash (4.085±0.85%).


Keywords:  Bioenergy; Calorific value; Charcoal lighter; Pinus caribaea; Proximate analysis

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