Optimization of Eichhornia crassipes invasive agro-waste for improved combustion characteristics

Abstract

Process optimization remains one of the viable approaches to enhance product performance. This study explores the influence of process parameters on combustion behaviour of solid fuel briquettes derived from Water Hyacinth Biomass through empirical modeling and parametric optimization. The experimental design was structured in accordance with Response Surface Methodology (RSM) employing the Central Composite Design (CCD). The variable input parameters considered in this investigation included a particle size range (0.5-1.5 mm), compression pressures (3 MPa-7 MPa), and binder ratios (10-30 %). The impact of each parameter on the combustion kinetics and the validation of the constructed model was conducted through analysis of variance (ANOVA). The ignition time and combustion rate were regarded as the experimental outputs, while both numerical and physical experiments underwent statistical validation. This approach aims to establish a predictive model that correlates ignition duration and combustion rate concerning the independent operational parameters. The optimized parameters, yielding a desirability of 1 out of 100 solutions, are a particle size of 0.763042 mm, compaction pressure of 3.08724 MPa, binding ratio of 13.4529 %, with an ignition duration of 70.8386 secs and a combustion rate of 2.24221 g/cm. This research offers a significant contribution towards a sustainable pathway for the valorization of agricultural waste into value-added biomass energy production. Consequently, it supports sustainable material development, renewable, secure, and economical energy generation, effectively transforming waste into valuable resources.