Influence of raw material properties on the quality of solid biofuel and energy consumption in briquetting process
¹Czech University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Department of
Sustainable Technologies, Kamýcká 129, CZ 16500 Prague, Czech Republic
²Research Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Drnovská 507, CZ 16101 Prague,
Czech Republic
*Correspondence: ivanova@ftz.czu.cz
Abstract:
The present paper is related to a pressing process research of raw materials with different density in order to investigate impact of biomass density on a formation of monolithic structure and the briquette’s strength. Another focus of the study is an influence of raw materials particles’ size on agglomeration process and quality of final product. Different biomass materials like two varieties of miscanthus, industrial hemp and apple wood were selected for experimental purposes of this research. Mechanical durability which represents one the main indicator of briquettes’ mechanical quality (strength) was determined. The research was conducted using hydraulic piston briquetting press. For assessment of briquetting efficiency during the whole process energy consumption was measured. One of the most important factors that can affect briquetting process is the temperature of pressing chamber which was registered as well. The main goal of the research was practical study of possibilities for increasing production efficiency and quality of briquettes on hydraulic piston briquetting press with respect to optimization of particles’ size of raw materials and use of raw materials the most appropriate density.
Key words:
briquettes, bulk density, densification process, initial fraction, mechanical durability, piston press