Journal of Solid Waste Technology and Management [Link]

162

MICROBIAL FORMULATION OF BIO-BRIQUETTES

USING LIGNOCELLULOSIC AND FLORAL BIOMASS

M Prajakta Prakash Karale, Akash Ankush Shivankar, Meghmala

Sheshrao Waghmode*, Neha Nitin Patil, Ravindra U. Mene

PDEA’s Annasaheb Magar Mahavidyalaya, Hadapsar, Pune-411028, India

Received on: December 15, 2022

Accepted on: May 20, 2023

ABSTRACT

Considering the cost of fuel, it is the need of the hour for the utilization of waste
as a fuel source. Leaf litter waste and floral waste biomass present in the
surrounding serve as potential materials in bio-briquettes formulation. Leaf
litter wastes (Almond leaves, Ashoka leaves, Cluster fig leaves), and floral
wastes such as (Marigold, Tuberose, and Rose) was used for the study. The
waste was microbially treated using Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014 and
Lactobacillus brevis ATCC 14869 for rapid decomposition of wastes. The
briquettes were formulated using wet briquetting, manual pressure, and
cylindrical mould methods. Paper pulp along with wheat bran at a 35:5 ratio
was used as an artificial binding agent. The preliminary analysis includes the
contents of moisture, volatile matter, ash, fixed carbon, etc. Bio briquettes were
ultimately analyzed by FESEM, FT-IR, TGA, Density, and Calorific values.
Comparisons were done using untreated lignocellulosic biomass-based
briquettes and commercially available briquettes. Briquettes made from waste
that has undergone microbial processing have a calorific value of 5968.20w
kJ/Kg, a density of 0.26 kg/cm3, 8.4% moisture content, 10% volatile matter
content, 13.65% ash content, 67.95% fixed carbon content, a maximum
burning time of 17 minutes, and a minimum ignition time of 3 minutes. While
the briquettes made from untreated waste have calorific value of 4205.10
kJ/Kg, density of 0.20 kg/cm3, 10.8% moisture content, 15% volatile matter
content, 15.11% ash content, 59.05% fixed carbon content. This comparative
study shows microbially treated bio briquettes can offer good agriculture waste
management and new fuel opportunities.

Keywords: Bio-briquettes, floral waste, Leaf litter waste, Wet briquetting.

* Corresponding author: Meghmala Sheshrao Waghmode, E-mail: meghmicro@[Link], PDEA’s Annasaheb Magar Mahavidyalaya, India

concerns and lead to sustainable improvement various

1. Introduction: - new methods are used (Ajimotokan et al., 2019, Pandey
and Regmi, 2013). Biomass has been taken into
Energy is notably essential in improvement, national consideration as an amazing capacity renewable energy
and local environmental protection (Mohammed et al., source, both for the richer countries and for the
2020, Oladeji and Oyetunji, 2013). The issue of an developing world (Demirbas 2007, Demirbas 2001).
energy crisis is raised by the depletion of natural Biomass is considered the third-largest energy source in
resources (Anggono et al., 2017). Fossil fuel is currently the world, after coal, oil, and other fuels (Anggono et
the primary energy source utilised to produce everyday al., 2017, Bapat et al., 1997). Floral waste has been
fuels like kerosene and cooking gas (Demirbas 2007). reported to have the potential to serve as the source as
The prices of fuel are influenced by declining energy value added products (Waghmode et al., 2018).
sources. Due to a large market's demands and scarce The briquettes made from turning low bulk-density
supplies, fuel prices will rise. Production and proper biomass into high bulk-density fuel are known as
use of energy are very essential and to address these biomass briquettes. The unconventional energy source

MICROBIAL FORMULATION OF BIO-BRIQUETTES USING LIGNOCELLULOSIC AND FLORAL BIOMASS Vol. 49 Issue 2 162
 Journal of Solid Waste Technology and Management [Link]

known as biomass briquettes is renewable, the methodology for bio-briquette preparation using
environmentally friendly, non-polluting, and cost- easily accessible and cheap wastes. During the work the
effective. Lignocellulosic biomass is largely employed waste was treated with the microorganisms to improve
because it is a plentiful, renewable resource produced the fuel characteristics of the briquettes and to reduce
from plants, and it is mostly made up of complex the time during the preparation.
polymer sequences called polysaccharides (cellulose,
hemicellulose, and lignin), which are naturally resistant Collection of leaf litter
to enzyme conversion. The briquette has strength and floral waste
because these changes are tightly bound together and
challenging to separate. Second-generation biofuels can
be produced using lignocellulosic biomass as a viable Drying in sunlight
alternative to fossil fuels. These include plant waste,
waste from the forest, and trash from agriculture. The
process of making briquettes is a form of clean coal Sorting and grinding
technology that will aid in the fight against global
warming (Tamilvanan, 2013). Waste disposal from our
surroundings and its use is a major challenge in growing
Microbial pretreatment
nations, hence generation of value-added products from
waste is the need of the hour. (Onukak et al., 2017).
Addition of artificial
In Nepal, people have been using biomass briquettes binders
from the beginning of time. The burning of loose
biomass produced adequate heat for keeping warm and
cooking, although being inefficient. In order to make Formulation
guitha, a traditional low-pressure bio-briquette, and
cow and buffalo feces that was employed as a binder
was combined with fillers including straw, jute sticks, Drying
and other biomass resources. In Asia and Africa, low-
pressure fuel briquettes are very common. Although
cheap and frequently used, these wood-based low- Proximate, ultimate,
pressure briquettes have a limit on smoke and indoor air and preliminary analysis
pollution (Singh 2013).

As a substitute for coal and cow dung cakes in cooking Figure 1: Flow chart of the production of leaf litter and
stoves, bio-briquettes have residential applications. For floral waste bio-briquettes
use as fuel in commercial boilers, furnaces, and brick
kilns. Briquettes have a high boiler efficiency compared 2. Materials and Methods: -
to coal, firewood, or loose biomass because of their low
moisture content and high density. They cause less 2.1 Sample Collection: -
pollution and are easy to store, handle and transport. In
comparison to coal, combustion is more consistent. The Leaf litter waste and floral waste from the nearby areas
most popular method in India is to briquette raw were collected. About 6 kg of floral waste and 6 kg of
agricultural leftovers without the use of a binder leaf litter waste was collected for the study which
(Ajimotokan et al., 2019, Tripathi et al. 1998). In India, includes Terminalia catappa (Almond leaves),
agricultural leftovers such as arhar stalk, cotton stalk, Saracaasoca (Ashoka leaves), Ficus racemosa (Cluster
mustard stalk, maize stalk, groundnut shells, rice husk, fig leaves), and floral waste such as Tagetes erecta
tamarind shells, coir pith, sunflower stalk, etc. are (Marigold flowers), Polianthes tuberosa (Tuberose),
frequently used for briquetting (Ajimotokan et al., 2019, Rosa indica (Rose), etc.
Tripathi et al. 1998) to prevent deforestation and to
conserve natural resources. 2.2 Sample Pre-treatment: -

The main objectives were to make inexpensive The pre-treatment of the waste done as per the protocol
briquettes utilizing leaf litter waste and flower waste suggested for sorting, drying, and Size reduction
that had undergone microbial treatment and to test the (Onukak et al., 2017). The Leaf Litter waste and Floral
ultimate plus proximal characteristics as given in waste were carefully separated manually to get rid of
[Link] main objective of this work was developing impurities consisting of pieces of plastic, and other

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 Journal of Solid Waste Technology and Management [Link]

unwanted materials. The waste had been sun-dried for sides of the cylindrical mold allow the excess water in
5 days relying on ambient temperature (250C) and the mixture to escape. The briquettes needed thorough
humidity to eliminate moisture content. Then the raw drying for a week in the sun because they were still
material was turned into a smaller size using Grinder, damp even after pressurization.
approximately 2-6mm size. 2.4.2b. Densified briquetting method

2.3 Microbial Treatment: - Densification is the process of combining flower and

leaf litter waste into a product that has a higher density
The Pre-treated Leaf litter waste and floral waste were than the original raw material. The pre-treated waste
treated with Consortia of Lactic Acid Bacteria i.e., samples were combined in a 60:35:5 ratio with the
Lactobacillus plantarium ATCC 8014, Lactobacillus paper pulp and wheat bran. A manually controlled lever
brevis ATCC 14869 and Leuconostoc lactis ATCC press with a 100mm internal diameter and a 250mm
19256 to reduce briquette formulation time as length was then used to pressurize the mixture. The
decomposition loosens fibers of biomass materials. perforations in the sides of the cylindrical mold allow
Decomposition of 500-600g of pre-treated waste the excess water in the mixture to drain away. Before
sample was done using 10% of inoculum and was examination, the briquettes were kept for a week to dry
incubated for 5 days at room temperature under aerobic in the sun.
conditions. Suitability of decomposed biomass for bio
briquette production, ooze test, shake test and spring 2.4.2c. Carbonization briquetting method
back test has been recommended. These tests are based
on feeling and visual observation (Saikia et al., 2014). The carbonization process is required to transform
A shake test was run repeatedly to make sure the waste biomass into fuel. It removes the water from the
sample was decomposing to the appropriate extent till biomass, breaks down the cellulosic material, and
it turns into solid biomass with less moisture content. leaves carbon in the form of charcoal, which can then
When shaken a few times vertically while being held be used as a raw material to create bio-briquettes. The
above the upper half area, the good briquette material pre-treated sample was heated for two hours at 400°C
does not disintegrate. in a container. Then the carbonized material was mixed
with the paper pulp and wheat bran. The mixture was
2.4 Formulation of bio-briquettes: - then pressurized by a manually operated lever press
with an internal diameter of 100mm and 250mm in
2.4.1 Preparation of binding agent from paper waste length (Ujjinappa & Sreepathi, 2018).
and wheat bran
Binding agent for briquette preparation was prepared as 2.5 Characterization of bio-briquettes: -
per the method of (Tamilvanan, 2013). The trash was
first shred into smaller pieces and placed in a bucket of Proximate, Ultimate, and Preliminary analysis were
water. It was transformed into more water-rich paper used to quantify some of the physical properties of
pulp after two days. It was left in the sun for a while to biomass briquettes that have an impact on combustion.
let the surplus water evaporate. In a pan, the water and These properties include moisture content, volatile
wheat bran were combined, and the mixture was then matter content, fixed carbon content, ash content,
cooked on the stove until it coagulated. density, calorific value, FESEM, TGA, FT-IR, burning
time and ignition time, among others.
2.4.2 Preparation of bio-briquettes: -
Bio briquettes were made using wet briquetting, i. Preliminary analysis of bio-briquettes: -
densified briquetting, and carbonized briquetting Preliminary Analysis of the Formulated Bio-Briquette
method. consists of the following test: -

2.4.2a. Wet briquetting method a. Percentage moisture content.

The decomposition of biomass material to the necessary Using the accepted technique, the percentage moisture
degree in order to pressurize the wet briquettes at a content (PMC) was calculated (IS 1350 Part 1). Each
lower pressure is the first phase in the wet briquetting sample weighed five grams, and the samples were
process. The previously microbially treated raw oven-dried for two hours at 135 °C to achieve a
material is combined with the synthetic binding agents, consistent mass. The desiccator was then used to keep
paper pulp and wheat bran, once it has attained the it cool. The sample's PMC was calculated using the
optimal amount of breakdown. The mixture was change in weight (W2) after 15 minutes of cooling.
subsequently manually inflated in a 250mm-long, 𝑊1 − 𝑊2
100mm-diameter cylindrical mould. The pores in the 𝑃𝑀𝐶 = × 100
𝑊1

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Ultimate analysis by (Ayodeji Rapheal [Link] 2022)

b. Percentage of Ash Content. consist of the following methods:-
Using the accepted technique, the percentage of Ash
Content (PAC) was determined (IS 1350 P1). Two a) Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA): TGA was
grams of briquette sample were placed in a crucible performed using a Thermostep Thermo-gravimetric
with a known weight, heated for one hour at 700°C, and Analyzer. To prevent unwelcome oxidation, the
then cooled in a desiccator before being weighed to breakdown analysis of the created briquettes was
determine the weight of the ash. The PAC was carried out in a nitrogen atmosphere. Each
calculated with following formula measurement was performed using 3.2g of a sample
heated at a rate of 10°C/min from room temperature to
𝑊2 − 𝑊1 about 995°C (Yiga & Lubwama, 2020).
𝑃𝐴𝐶 = × 100
𝑊𝑠
c. Percentage of volatile matter. b) FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared
Spectroscopy)- IR spectra of waste flower and leaf
Using the Standard technique, the proportion of volatile litter were examined to determine the chemical
matter (PVM) was calculated (IS 1978). In a crucible functional groups present (Perkin Elmer). Each
with a known weight, two grams of briquette sample sample's FT-IR spectrum (1 mg) was used, and 40 scans
were taken, oven-dried at 135°C for two hours, heated with a resolution of 2 cm-1 were completed. A software
at 900°C for ten minutes, cooled in a desiccator for standard graph was created for each sample using the
fifteen minutes, and then weighed. The PVM was spectra as input (Veeresh and Narayana, 2012).
calculated using:
c) Analysis using field emission scanning microscopy
𝑊1 − 𝑊2 (FESEM) - FESEM analysis, which uses a Nova Nano
𝑃𝑉𝑀 = × 100
𝑊1 SEM NPEP303 with a resolution of 1.0 nm at 15 kV,
d. Percentage of Fixed Carbon. was utilised to determine the morphology and elemental
makeup of the particles still present in the biomass feed
PVM, PMC, and PAC were added up, and the result after breakdown. XT microscope software for FESEM
was subtracted from 100 to determine the percentage of (Blesa et al., 2003).
fixed carbon (PFC).
𝐹𝑖𝑥𝑒𝑑 𝐶𝑎𝑟𝑏𝑜𝑛 = 100% 2.6. Costing of Production of bio-briquettes: -
− (𝑃𝑉𝑀 + 𝑃𝐴𝐶 + 𝑃𝑀𝐶) The costing of the raw materials used for the production
of bio-briquettes were calculated and compared with
e. Density. the values of bio-briquettes that are available
A briquette's mass density is determined by its mass industrially.
in relation to its volume (USDA ARS). Each
sample of briquettes is used to calculate the average 3. Results: -
value of mass density using the equation,
𝑚 3.1 Sample Collection: - Leaf litter waste and floral
𝜌=
𝑣 waste from the nearby areas were collected. About
ii. Proximate analysis of bio-briquettes: - 6 kg of floral waste and 6 kg of leaf litter waste was
used for the bio briquette production.
Proximate Analysis according (Afsal et al., 2020) 3.2 Sample pre-treatment: - Collected waste samples
consists of the following test: - were sorted, sundried and grinded to fine powder.
3.3 Microbial Treatment: - The Pre-treated Leaf litter
a) Ignition time (min): The burner was used to ignite waste and floral waste were treated with consortia
the bio-briquette samples. The ignition time was of Lactic Acid Bacteria i.e., Lactobacillus
measured using a stopwatch as the length of time it took plantarium ATCC 8014, Lactobacillus brevis
for each briquette to ignite. ATCC 14869 and Leuconostoc lactis ATCC 19256
to reduce briquette formulation time as
b) Burning time (min): Using a timer, the amount of decomposition loosens fibres of biomass materials.
time it takes 100g of bio-briquette sample to burn all the It has been advised to do the oozing test, shaking
way through to ash is recorded as the burning time. test, and spring back test to determine whether
decomposed biomass is suitable for making bio
iii. Ultimate Analysis of the Formulated Bio- briquettes. According to Saikia et al. (2014), these
Briquette consists of the following test: - The exams are based on perception and visual
observation. LAB treated leaf litter and floral

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biomass was converted into briquettes using Wet no 2. A Lever press machine was used for the
briquetting, Densified briquetting, and preparation of biobriquettes (fig. 2g).
Carbonization briquetting method as shown in fig

(a) (b) (c)

(d) (e) (f)

(g)

Figure 2: - Bio-briquettes formation using leaf litter waste and floral waste. (a)Decomposed floral. (b)
Carbonized floral (c) Densified floral. (d) Densified Leaf litter. (e) Decomposed leaf litter. (f) Carbonized
leaf litter. (g) A Lever press machine

3.4 Preliminary Analysis of Bio-briquettes: -

The preliminary analysis (moisture content, volatile matter content, ash content, fixed carbon content, density,
calorific value) of Bio-briquettes were done by using standard techniques. The obtained results are given in table no1.
Table 1: - Preliminary analysis of Bio-briquettes.

Name of Bio- MC VMC AC FC D CV BT IT

Sr. No.
briquettes (%) (%) (%) (%) g/cm3 kJ/Kg (min) (min)
1 Decomposed 8.40 ± 10 ± 13.65 ± 67.95 ± 0.26 ± 5,968.20 17 ± 3 ± 0.02
floral 0.5 0.33 1.13 0.46 0.02 ± 14.12 0.02
2. Decomposed 8.9 ± 11.5 ± 13.8 ± 66.54 ± 0.24 ± 2,543.03 17 ± 3 ± 0.02
Leaf litter 0.51 0.64 1.15 0.40 0.08 ± 15.20 0.02

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Name of Bio-
MC VMC AC FC D CV BT IT
Sr. No.
briquettes
(%) (%) (%) (%) g/cm3 kJ/Kg (min) (min)
3. Densified floral
10.9 ± 13 ± 6.16 ± 69.94 ± 0.23 ± 3,799.77 10 ± 4 ± 0.03
0.36 0.41 1.05 0.20 0.06 ± 10.30 0.03
4. Densified Leaf 9.50 ± 10.42 ± 9.45 ± 61.05 ± 0.26 ± 4,584.55 12 ± 5 ± 0.01
litter 0.62 0.71 1.21 0.60 0.04 ± 16.15 0.01
5. Carbonized 6.50 ± 16 ± 10.14 ± 67.36 ± 0.22 ± 4,662.10 12 ± 5 ± 0.03
floral 0.31 0.45 1.09 0.55 0.04 ± 13.36 0.03
6. Carbonized Leaf 6.04 ± 11.4 ± 16.9 ± 75.64 ± 1.58 ± 3,304.16 13 ± 6 ± 0.01
litter 0.41 0.51 1.20 0.30 0.09 ± 13.21 0.01
7. Commercially 10.8 ± 15 ± 15.11 ± 59.05 ± 0.20 ± 4,205.10 15 ± 7 ± 0.02
Available 0.55 0.68 1.20 0.57 0.02 ± 16.13 0.02
MC = Moisture content, VMC = Volatile matter content, AC = Ash content, FC = Fixed carbon, D = Density, CV =
Calorific value, BT = Burning time, and IT = Ignition time. Along with ± mean error.

Preliminary Analysis
80.00%
Percentage

60.00%

40.00%

20.00%

0.00%
Untreated Decomposed Leaf Litter Untreated Decomposed Floral Char Commercially
leaf litter leaf litter Char Floral Floral Available
Types of Biobriquette
Volatile Matter content (% Moisture content (%) Ash content (%) Fixed carbon content (%)

Figure 3: - Graph of Preliminary analysis of bio-briquettes

Table no 1, fig 3, shows the results of the preliminary 6, 16, and 69.94%, respectively. The moisture content
analysis of biomass briquettes. Decomposed flower of a densified leaf litter briquette is 9.50%, the volatile
briquettes were the most significant briquette among all matter content is 10.42%, the ash content is 9.45%, and
the briquette samples, according to the data, with the the fixed carbon content is 61.05 percent. Carbonized
highest moisture content, volatile matter content, ash floral shows a moisture content 6.50%, volatile matter
content, and fixed carbon content of 8.40%, 10%, 13%, content 16%, ash content 10.14%, fixed carbon
and 67.95%, respectively. The moisture percentage, 67.36%. A carbonized leaf litter briquette's moisture
volatile matter content, ash content, and fixed carbon content is 6.04 percent, volatile matter is 11.4 percent,
content of additional briquette samples, such as ash is 16.9 percent, and fixed carbon is 75.64 percent.
disintegrated leaf litter, is shown to be 8.9%, 11.5%, 13. The moisture content of commercially available bio-
8%, and 66.54%, respectively. The moisture content, briquette is 10.8%, the volatile matter content is 15%,
volatile matter content, ash content, and fixed carbon the ash content is 15.11%, and the fixed carbon content
content of a densified floral bio-briquette are 10, 9, 13, is 59. 05%.

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Figure 4: - Graph of Densities of bio-briquettes

and densified floral briquette showed 0. 24g/cm3 of
Table no1 and fig 4, indicate the densities of the density. Followed by carbonized floral bio-briquette
biomass briquettes formulated using microbial showing 0. 22g/cm3. While carbonized leaf litter bio-
treatment. Decomposed floral bio-briquette and briquette showed the lowest density of 1. 58g/cm3.
densified leaf litter bio-briquettes showed the highest And commercially available one showed 0. 02g/cm3
densities among all the formulated biomass briquettes i. density.
e. , 0. 26g/cm3. Decomposed leaf litter bio-briquette

Figure 5: - Graph of Calorific values of bio-briquettes

4,584.55kJ/Kg. Densified floral bio-briquette showed

Table no 1 and Fig 5, shows the results of the 3,799.77kJ/Kg of calorific value. Decomposed leaf
preliminary analysis of biomass briquettes. The results litter briquette showed the calorific value of about
indicated that among all the briquette samples, 2,543.03kJ/Kg. Carbonized floral showed
decomposed floral briquettes were the most significant 4,662.10kJ/Kg of calorific value. Carbonized leaf litter
briquette with the highest calorific value of about briquette showed 3,304.16kJ/Kg of calorific value. And
5,968.20 kJ/Kg. Followed by other briquette samples commercially available bio-briquette showed
such as Densified leaf litter which showed 4,205.10kJ/Kg of calorific value.

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Figure 6: - Graph of Burning time and Ignition time of bio-briquettes

of 5mins. Densified floral bio-briquette showed 10mins

The findings of the Burning time and Ignition time of of burning time and 4mins of ignition time.
biomass briquettes are displayed in Table No. 1 and Fig. Decomposed leaf litter briquette showed 17mins of
6. The results indicated that among all the briquette burning time and 3mins of ignition time. Carbonized
samples, decomposed floral briquettes were the most floral showed 12mins of burning and 5mins of ignition
significant briquette with the highest burning time of time. Carbonized leaf litter briquette showed 13mins of
17mins and lowest ignition time of 3mins. Followed by burning and 6mins of ignition. Commercially available
other briquette samples such as Densified leaf litter bio-briquette showed 15mins of burning and 7mins of
which showed burning time of 12mins and ignition time ignition time.

3.5 Ultimate Analysis of Bio-briquettes: -

a. Thermo-gravimetric analysis of Decomposed floral bio-briquette: -

180 3.5

160
3.0
140
Weight Loss (mg)
Heat Flow (mW)

120
2.5
100

80
2.0
60

40 1.5

20
1.0
0

-20
0.5
-100 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100
o
Temperature ( C)

Figure7: - Graph of TGA of bio-briquettes

temperature to about 995°C (Yiga & Lubwama, 2020).

A Thermostep Thermo-Gravimetric Analyzer was used The TGA curve of weight loss (mg) vs heat flow (mW)
to conduct the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). To for decomposing floral bio-briquettes is presented in
prevent unwelcome oxidation, the breakdown analysis Fig6. The most significant weight loss was 3.12mg. The
of the created briquettes was carried out in a nitrogen fuel ignition temperature showed the removal of
atmosphere. Each measurement was performed using moisture content from 30°C to 200°C. Then removal of
3.2g of a sample heated at a rate of 10°C/min from room volatile matter content from 200°C to 500°C showed a
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weight loss of 1.5mg. In corresponding to weight loss, using (Perkin Elmer). In FT-IR spectra (1mg) of each
the heat flow increases and is maximum at 450°C sample were used and 40 scans at a resolution of 2cm-
during the removal of volatile matter content. Then the 1 were carried out. With the help of spectra, a software
biofuel briquette is converted to ash when heated from standard graph was plotted for each sample. (Veeresh
500°C to 998°C. and Narayana, 2012). Fig. 8 showed the FT-IR spectra
analysis of Decomposed bio-briquettes having good
b. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy of chemical functional groups. The Peak at 472.75/cm,
Bio-briquette: - 93.98% T (432.83, 420.94, 452.38) is attributed to C-
To know the chemical functional groups, present in the Br stretching mode and C-I stretching mode.
floral and leaf litter wastes IR spectra were carried out
99.9

99.5

99.0
2 8 4 7 .3 8

98.5
2915.36
98.0

97.5

97.0

96.5
%T

96.0

95.5
452.56cm-1, 94.01%T

95.0 472.75cm-1, 93.98%T 1011.85

94.5

94.0
432.95cm -1, 94.00% T

93.5
420.94cm-1, 93.86%T
441.40cm-1, 94.06%T

93.0
4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 400
cm-1
Name Description
fc Sample fc By amm Date Wednesday, April 13 2022

Figure 8: - FT-IR spectra of Decomposed bio-briquettes

generally used to study morphology on the 3D surface
of bio-briquettes. The decomposed floral briquettes had
c. Field Emission Scanning Microscopy (FESEM) pores, and wide fibers are displayed on the surface as
Analysis: - shown in Fig 9 (a), (b). It has a very rigid body with
The morphology of the particles still present in the irregular structures having a predominance of floral
biomass feed after decomposition and their elemental shapes with channels as shown in fig 8(e) and (f). Their
content were discovered using FESEM analysis (Field particle size varies from 13.8 micrometers to 166.8
emission Scanning Electron Microscope, Nova Nano micrometers. This morphological difference plays a
SEM NPEP303 with Resolution: 1.0 nm at 15kV) and very important part in energy valorization and helped in
XT microscope software (Blesa et al., 2003). It is high heating values.

a b

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d
c

e f

Figure 9: - FESEM images of decomposed bio-briquette. (a) Wide & rough fibers (b) Pores (e) Predominance of
floral structures
Raw materials Freely available in
15 Rs/ kg
Surrounding
3.6 Costing of Production of bio-briquettes: - Paper waste - 15 Rs /kg
Wheat bran - 36 Rs /kg
The production cost of Industrial bio-briquette and Cassava
49 Rs / kg -
formulated bio-briquettes in India, 2022 is given in starch
Total 64 Rs/kg 51 Rs/kg
Table 2. The organic matter that is used in the
production of formulated bio-briquettes is easily
obtained, and available abundantly in the surrounding. Discussion: -
While the raw material that is used by the industries cost
approximately 15rs/kg. The artificial binders that are Bio briquette production has been reported from
used in formulated bio-briquettes are also available and tropical fruit waste (Brunerová et al., 2017), bamboo
are of affordable prices. While the binders used by the fiber and sugar cane skin (Brunerová et al., 2018),
industries are costly. The other techniques used in the cashew nut shell waste (Ifa et al.,2020), hydrothermal
bio-briquettes formulation are also cheaper and so this pretreated cotton stalk and wood sawdust (Song et al.,
technique is proven to be cost-effective in comparison 2020), and water hycianth (Rezania et al., 2016). Value
to industrial bio-briquettes. addition to the organic waste by its conversion into
biofuel, will give insight for the poor rural woman to
Table 2: - Comparison of Production Cost of bio- solve the problem of fuel with unaffordable price.
briquettes During the conversion of waste biomass into fuel,
various physico chemical treatments has been reported.
Cost of Cost of Here we are reporting ecofriendly microbial
Industrial Bio- Formulated Bio- pretreatment of leaf litter and floral waste.
Components
briquette briquette
(INR/kg) (INR/kg)

MICROBIAL FORMULATION OF BIO-BRIQUETTES USING LIGNOCELLULOSIC AND FLORAL BIOMASS Vol. 49 Issue 2 171
 Journal of Solid Waste Technology and Management [Link]

Literature is replete with several research findings on Conclusion: -

briquetting from various types of biomasses (Anggono
et al., 2017) while investigating an alternative source of Rapid increase in fuel prices, demands the need of
renewable and sustainable energy, found biomass alternative biofuel systems. Reuse of the lignocellulosic
briquette made from waste Pterocarpus indicus leaves wastes is needed as part of value addition to biowaste.
includes tapioca as a binder material, showed the Bioconversion of lignocellulosic waste to bio briquettes
increased calorific value and the low cost of the will be the best and easily targetable approach.
biomass briquette from as cost of tapioca as a binder Microbial assisted lignocellulosic biomass denaturation
material was low. Rice straw, banana leaves, and teak step will help for the reduction in the duration and
leaves were used by (Madhurjya Saikia and Deben improvisation of the quality of the briquettes. Such
Baruah, 2013) for densification using the wet strategies can be helpful for women living in rural areas
briquetting procedure. They found that banana leaves with a scarcity of fuel. More research is needed for
take 28 days to decompose to the desired level, better technology in briquette formulation to meet all
compared to 19 days for rice straw and teak leaves. the desired criteria of fuel.
Additionally, rice straw, banana leaves, and teak leaves
have calorific values of 1357 kJ/kg and 0.20 g/cm3, Conflict of interest: Nil
1498 kJ/kg and 0.17 g/cm3, and 1178 kJ/kg and 0.22
g/cm3, respectively. Briquettes made from mixtures of Funding: Nil
palm oil mill waste and rice husk were described by
(Obi et al, 2016). Because of its larger density and Acknowledgment: Nil
relatively moderate moisture level, the corncob
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