Effects of compression pressure, biomass ratio and binder proportion on the calorific value and mechanical integrity of waste-based briquettes

Briquettes derived from organic waste offer a sustainable energy solution, yet those produced through the combination of palm kernel and decanter cakes remain inadequately researched. Hence, the impact of the proportion of biomass, compression pressure, and binder ratio on the calorific value and mechanical properties of the composite materials were investigated through response surface modelling. Under ideal circumstances, the utilization of bentonite clay and cardboard pulp binder resulted in a relaxation density maximum effect of 1527 kg/m3 and 1013 kg/m3, while yielding optimal calorific values of 24.22 MJ/kg and 29.09 MJ/kg correspondingly. The optimal shatter indices for both specimens were 104.5 % and 123.6 %, accompanied by water resistance capabilities of 99.7 % and 106.1 % correspondingly. Resistance to impact of cardboard pulp and bentonite clay binder were 772.9 % and 177.3 % respectively. The current study is the first to examine independent and dependent variables for these composite materials in sub-Saharan Africa using RSM.