Evaluation of Fecal Sludge Charcoal Briquette Produced from Different Binding Materials

Abstract

Briquetting technology is one of the useful methods for sustainable management of Fecal sludge (FS). This study aims to evaluate the physical and thermal properties of briquettes made of FS charcoal with different binding materials. FS charcoal was produced by pyrolysis of the dry FS at 4000C and subsequently was briquetted with rice starch and different ratio of rice husk powder (RH), corncob powder (CP), wheat powder (WP), and cow dung (CD). The ratios of FS charcoal and binding materials were chosen as 80: 20, 75:25, and 70:30 for RH, CP, and WP briquettes. For CD briquettes, the ratios were 70:30, 50:50, and 30:70. Each briquette was characterized in terms of bulk density, moisture content, compressive strength, energy content, and proximate analysis. The bulk density and the compressive strength of all briquettes were in the range of 1990–2150 kg/m0 and 172–815 KPa, respectively. The moisture contents of all briquette samples achieved 5% to 8% that met DIN 51731standards. The ash content in briquettes was comparatively higher, achieving 29–46%. The energy contents of all briquette samples were above 12.0 MJ/kg indicating sustainability for combustion. The briquettes made of FS charcoal and CD were found suitable having a lower cost (0.18–0.28 US$/kg), sufficient compressive strength (>375 KPa), and desirable energy content (>13.40 MJ/kg). The produced FS briquette can be used for cooking and heating. The FS charcoal briquettes showed a potential alternative to manage human waste for sustainable environmental protection.