_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ *Corresponding author: E-mail: arudra.ashok@gmail.com; Current Journal of Applied Science and Technology 34(1): 1-15, 2019; Article no.CJAST.30814 ISSN: 2457-1024 (Past name: British Journal of Applied Science & Technology, Past ISSN: 2231-0843, NLM ID: 101664541) Development and Evaluation of Low Pressure Multi Briquetting Machine for Rural Areas A. Ashok Kumar 1* , R. Jhansi 1 , U. Harsha Vardhan 1 , S. M. Gousia 1 , A. Kesav Kumar 1 and C. Ramana 1 1 College of Agricultural Engineering, Madakasira, 515301, India. Authors’ contributions This work was carried out in collaboration among all authors. Author AAK designed the study, wrote the protocol, and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. Authors RJ, UHV, SMG, AKK and CR managed the analyses of the study. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Article Information DOI: 10.9734/CJAST/2019/v34i130113 Editor(s): (1) Dr. Elena Lanchares Sancho, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain. Reviewers: (1) Dr. Oluwole, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. (2) Dr. Klaus Doelle, USA. Complete Peer review History: http://www.sdiarticle3.com/review-history/30814 Received 24 October 2016 Accepted 08 February 2017 Published 28 March 2019 ABSTRACT A hand operated low pressure biomass multi briquetting machine was developed and evaluated which works using a screw press mechanism. The developed system mainly consists of multi square moulds, multi circular moulds, single circular mould pressing plates, base plate, supporting stand and steering wheel. Rice husk, tamarind kernels, groundnut shells, and sawdust were used as raw materials along with cow dung and tamarind powder as binding material for preparation of briquettes. The developed machine was tested with various combinations of agricultural residues and developed various combinations and proportions of raw material briquettes and studied the thermal and physical properties of developed briquettes. The developed machine is low cost and simple in operation and able to produce sixty briquettes per hour. Keywords: Screw mechanism; briquettes; Bio- waste; rural development. Original Research Article