Biomass Residue Briquetting and Characterization

Abstract

All kinds of biomasses pull carbon out of the air as they grow. Waste biomass can be made into usable fuel by densification. These biomasses can then replace some coal in power plants, which will reduce carbon emissions and greenhouse gas effects. Densification of low-density biomass (agricultural and agro-industrial waste) is called biomass briquetting. The briquette form facilitates easy transportation, enables better handling and storage, and is efficient to use as an alternative fuel to coal and firewood. The high temperature developed during the high-pressure densification process assists the inherent lignin, which is the binder in the biomass, to bind the biomass and form a densified fuel called briquettes. In this paper, four kinds of biomasses (mango leaves, eucalyptus leaves, wheat straw, and sawdust) were briquetted. Physicochemical and thermochemical characterization of the biomass residues was carried out by using standard methods. A hydraulic press and an automatic compression testing machine were used for the briquetting and testing. The effect of various parameters, such as compression pressure, pressure application rate, holding time, particle size, and moisture content, on the density of the briquettes was studied. The impact resistance test was carried out by using the standard ASTM method. All the briquettes prepared from the biomass studied in this paper have more heating value than half of Indian coal; thus, they can be used as an alternative to coal and firewood.