Physical Properties of Solid Fuel Briquettes from Waste Indian Cork Leaves

Titiporn Chorchong, Kasama Durongsak, Pisit Poolprasert — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 09:41:09 +0700

This study aimed to investigate the physical properties of solid fuel briquettes made from waste Indian cork leaves. Various mass ratios of Indian cork leaves and starch paste (80:20, 70:30, 60:40, and 50:50) were cold compressed and evaluated according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards for fuel qualities. The parameters assessed included heat value, moisture content, ash content, volatile compound content, fixed carbon content, and organic constituents (carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen) using an organic elemental analyzer. Results indicated that all four ratios of solid fuels met waste characteristics requirements and could yield fuel rods with calorific values exceeding 3,000 calories per gram. The 80:20 ratio produced the most favorable fuel characteristics, with a calorific value of 4,596.67±9.86 calories per gram, moisture content of 0.73±0.19 %, ash content of 5.73±0.13 %, volatile matter content of 77.95±3.32 %, stable carbon content of 15.59 %, carbon element of 52.06 %, hydrogen element of 6.37 %, and nitrogen element of 2.28 %. Consequently, it can be concluded that Indian cork leaves possess favorable fuel properties and higher calorific values compared to other waste biomass types such as pineapple peels, coconut pulp, mangosteen, durian, ginger rhizomes, rice husks, and cassava rhizomes, making them suitable substitutes for household firewood.

Contamination of Cigarette Butts at Chalatat Beach, Mueang District, Songkhla Province

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 09:41:40 +0700

The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of cigarette butt litter along a 4.23-kilometer stretch of Chalatat Beach, Mueang District, Songkhla Province, spanning from the Darul Amal Mosque area to the Golden Mermaid Statue area. Eight sampling sessions were conducted between April and May 2019 at 21 designated points. The findings revealed 471 cigarette butts, constituting 65 percent of the total collected litter. The average quantity per point was 22.43±2.36 pieces, with a density of 11.21 pieces per square meter. Furthermore, the study identified various types of litter, with 21 percent being plastic waste, 9 percent foam, 3 percent rope, 1 percent hazardous waste, and an additional 1 percent comprising items like rubber, paper scraps, and cloth scraps. Notably, areas with high tourist activities, particularly sampling point 10, exhibited a substantial accumulation of cigarette butts, despite the existing measures by Songkhla Municipality to prohibit their disposal at Chalatat Beach. Nevertheless, the current quantity of cigarette butts remains higher than historical levels, indicating the necessity for more stringent guidelines. As a proactive measure, we have initiated a campaign aimed at effectively addressing the cigarette butt issue at Chalatat Beach.

Journal of Physics and General Science

Physical Properties of Solid Fuel Briquettes from Waste Indian Cork Leaves

Contamination of Cigarette Butts at Chalatat Beach, Mueang District, Songkhla Province