Production and characterization of briquette from chat residue

Briquette is a block of compressed materials suitable for burning. Briquettes can be made from low cost materials such as old newspaper, any bio mass wastes and agricultural residues. They can be used as fuel instead of charcoal, firewood or mineral coal and costs less. Depending on which materials were used to make the briquettes, they may burn cleaner than charcoal. Finally, turning waste materials into a fuel source is attractive because it reduces waste as well as reducing the demand for non-renewable fuel resources. Many different methods and technologies exist for pressing briquettes. Each has its own unique advantages and disadvantages. One of the most commonly used materials for making briquettes is shredded newspaper. Small woodchips, rice husk, coffee husk, coir pith, jute sticks, chat residue, groundnut shells, mustard stalks, cotton stalks and sawdust also work well. Plant waste can make good briquettes, but it is best to compost the plant waste for a while (two or three weeks) so that it will stick together when it is pressed. Adding a small amount of wood ash to the mix makes briquettes harder and makes they burn longer. The addition of manure can achieve the same effect