COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF WOOD SPECIES, BINDER TYPE, AND BINDER RATIO ON THE PHYSICAL AND COMBUSTION PERFORMANCE OF CHARCOAL BRIQUETTES

This study was conducted to investigate the feasibility of using wood of (Dalbergia sissoo, Albizia lebbeck, Callistemon viminalis, Populus nigra, Eucalyptus microtheca, Euclyptus camaldulensis, Paulownia tomentosa, Pinus brutia, Thuja Orientalis, Fagus orientalis, Populus euphratica and Platanus oreinatlis) in the production of compressed charcoal. two types of locally produced materials were used as binding materials (potato starch and wheat flour) with mixing ratios of (10:90) and (20:80) to the charcoal particles. Compressed density g/cm³, horizontal expansion ratio %, durability, mass loss ratio %, Moisture content %, ash%, Volatile matter % and calorific value Cal./g. as a physical and combustion properties were studied. Density values varied for the studied charcoal briquettes type between (0.969 – 1.090)g/cm³, The highest value for horizontal expansion of molds was recorded in types manufactured from wood Fagus orientalis As it reached  2.772%, Most briquettes type showed good durability and a low loss rate ranging between (1.31 – 1.94)%, Moisture content and ash content values ranged between (5.32-8.22)% and (4.5-7.1)% respectively, The values of volatile matters were within the ranges specified in the standard specifications, except for two types. (Pinus brutia and Thuja Orientalis) Which amounted to (28.42 and 31.85) % respectively, the highest calorific value was obtained when using wood from both Dalbergia sissoo and Euclyptus camaldulensis as it reached to (7075 and 7065) cal./g. Potato starch showed potential for improving the properties of the produced compressed charcoal compared to wheat flour. Increasing the binder ratio from 10% to 20% improved all the studied properties.