Valorization of Textile Waste into Bio-Briquettes: Comparative Calorific Analysis with Activated Carbon

Abstract

One of the major challenges encountered in recent years is the significant increase in the need for sustainable and renewable energy sources because nonrenewable resources such as coal, oil, fossil fuels, and natural gases have been exploited and are on the verge of depletion. By 2030, the world's population will reach over 8 billion people. The demand for fuel is rapidly increasing as fuel is indispensable and is needed in significant powering sectors like industries, transportation, and households. Most people cannot afford fossil fuels, notably kerosene and natural gas, leading to the exploitation of forest resources for wood to be used as charcoal. Each country's community needs an alternative energy source to reduce fossil fuel usage. Solid biofuels such as bio briquettes are a feasible alternative as they are eco-friendly and can be developed from sustainable organic wastes. The work focus on bio briquetting conversion of coir, textile waste which were collected from local tailoring shops in Chennai, Tamil Nadu includes cotton fabrics and cotton cloths, rice husks and corn starch as a binder to formulate a bio briquette which contains 40% of textile waste and 60% of organic waste. Calorific value is determined for the bio briquettes using bomb calorimeter. The energy values where within the range of 1585.53 Cal/g which was compared to activated charcoal 3000 Cal/g to 4000 Cal/g. This study shows that the produced bio briquettes can be used for fuel bio briquette production which is a source of sustainable energy generation. The energy leave of the bio briquettes could be increased further by using different binders. It is environmentally friendly, cost effective and affordable compared to fossil fuels.