EFFECTS OF POWDERED Khaya Ivorensis [HEARTWOOD] ON SOME PROPERTIES OF COAL BRIQUETTE

This study was aimed at investigating the effects of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% load of powdered Khaya ivorensis [heartwood] on proximate analysis, elemental analysis and calorific value of coal briquette and the results were compared with that of blank samples. Ignition and combustion properties were determined using standard methods. The results for pulverized coal and powdered Khaya ivorensis showed moisture content (%) 6.8 and 12.3: ash content (%) 16.8 and 1.73: volatile matter (%) 54.70 and 82.12: fixed carbon (%) 21.7 and 3.85: calorific value (kJ/kg) 19765.55 and 16084.44 and bulk density (g/cm2) 0.83 and 0.20 respectively. The results showed the presence of SiO2, SO3, K2O, CaO, TiO2, Cr2 O3, Fe2O3 in the coal and Khaya ivorensis. The results of briquette analyses showed that porosity index, moisture content(%), volatile matter(%) increased with increase in mass load. The density (g/cm3), ash content (%), sulphur content(%) and ignition time (sec)decreased with increase in mass load while there is variation in compressive strength (N/mm2), calorific value, burning rate (kg/s) and thermal efficiency (%) as mass load increases. It was observed from the results that powdered Khaya ivorensis [heartwood] enhanced the properties of coal briquette.