Philippine E-Journals

Design and Fabrication of Solar Powered Briqueting Machine

Maria Fatima D. Lanorio | Alyza Mae E. Mariano | Von Carlo Miguel M. Mondoy | Allan Paolo C. Salvador

 

Abstract:

The average waste in wood processing industry is 45% in every 1000 kilogram of wood processed. The maximum waste is processed through briquetting in which the sawdust with the mixture of corn starch is compressed to form a solid briquette. This study aimed to design a solar powered briquetting machine, using a motor running the screw extruder. From the testing of the prototype, the results showed that the solar powered briquetting was technically feasible since it produced quality briquettes. In the trials, Ratio 1 was based on the previous study, consisting of 1 kg of sawdust, ¼ kg of starch and 400 mL of water while Ratio 2 was based on trial and error done by the researchers, with 1 kg sawdust, 400 g of starch and 480 mL of water. Results showed that Ratio 1 has higher density compared to Ratio 2. Boiling 500 mL of water was faster in Ratio 2 than in Ratio 1. Likewise, Ratio 1 also had high compressibility compared to Ratio 2. However, transforming briquettes into ash was faster in Ratio 1 than in Ratio 2. With its total project cost of Php 40, 320, the solar powered briquetting machine was found to be economically feasible. The amount is lower than the cost of a regular briquette machine that is powered by renewable energy.