Assessment of the Combustion Profiles of Biobased Briquettes Produced from Alkaline-Delignified Cotton Seed Shell
Keywords:
Alkaline delignification; Biobased briquettes; Combustion profiles; Calorific value; Renewable energyAbstract
The persistent shortfall in grid electricity supply and continued dependence on fuelwood and fossil fuels in Nigeria have intensified the need for alternative, sustainable solid fuel sources. Cotton seed shells represent an abundant agricultural residue that remains largely underutilized despite its considerable energy potential. This study assessed the combustion profiles of bio-based briquettes produced from alkaline-delignified cotton seed shells, in comparison with untreated briquettes. Cotton seed shells sourced from Talata Mafara, Zamfara State, Nigeria, were dried, pulverized, and sieved before being divided into two portions: one subjected to alkaline pretreatment using a 3 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution, and the other retained untreated as a control. Briquettes were formed from both portions using a starch binder and evaluated for ignition time, calorific value, burning rate, and water boiling performance, and further characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Results showed that alkaline pretreatment reduced ignition time from 45.550 ± 0.80 to 41.540 ± 0.58 minutes, increased calorific value from 1498 ± 1.04 to 1881.00 ± 4.58, and reduced burning rate from 28.547 ± 0.011 to 18.690 ± 0.12 g/min, relative to the untreated sample. The water boiling test further indicated improved boiling efficiency in the treated briquettes compared to the untreated sample. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of characteristic lignocellulosic functional groups (–O–H, –C–H, –C=O, and –C–O–C) in both sample types, while TGA profiles revealed thermal decomposition patterns consistent with the expected structural modification associated with alkaline delignification. These findings demonstrate that alkaline pretreatment enhances the combustion efficiency and fuel quality of cotton seed shell briquettes, supporting their potential as a sustainable, low-cost alternative solid fuel for domestic and small-scale industrial energy applications in cotton-producing regions.
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