Thesis Abstract

Agricultural residues are produced in large quantities globally each year. Unmanaged, they can pose environmental and health hazards when burnt openly in fields. Briquetting is a process that converts loose biomass into a compact, higher density fuel that can serve as an alternative to firewood. The objective of this study was to design and develop a manually operated biomass briquetting machine that can be used by small and marginal farmers. Different biomass types were tested for their suitability for briquetting. Prototype models of the machine were developed and evaluated. The optimized design incorporated a screw press mechanism that was found to produce strong, uniform briquettes from a variety of agricultural residues. User trials confirmed that the machine was easy to operate and met the energy needs of rural households. The developed technology has the potential for commercialization and wider dissemination.

Thesis Overview