Influence of raw material properties on the quality of solid biofuel and energy consumption in briquetting process

A. Muntean¹, T. Ivanova¹*, P. Hutla² and B. Havrland¹

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:

Utilization of waste biomass from post–harvest lines in the form of briquettes for energy production

A. Brunerová*, M. Brožek and M. Müller

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Material Science and anufacturing Technology, Kamýcká 129, CZ165 00 Prague, Czech Republic *Correspondence:brunerova@tf.czu.cz

Abstract:

A great amount of herbal waste biomass is produced nowadays during agriculture crop processing; also during ‘post–harvest lines’ operations. Such waste biomass occurs in the bulk form, thus, is not suitable for direct combustion; it can be improved by using of briquetting technology. Therefore, present paper provides chemical, mechanical and microscopic analyses of waste biomass originating from post–harvest lines and briquettes produced from it. Namely, waste biomass originated from production of oat (Avena sativa) – husks, wheat (Triticum spp.) – husks and poppy (Papaver somniferum) – straw and seed pods and mixture of all mentioned were investigated. Unprocessed materials were subjected to microscopic and chemical analysis and subsequently produced briquette samples were subjected to determination of its mechanical quality. A satisfactory level of moisture and ash content was observed, as well as, materials energy potential; oat – 17.39 MJ kg^-1, wheat – 17.04 MJ kg^-1, poppy – 14.48 MJ kg^-1. Also microscopic analysis proved suitability of all feedstock materials within evaluation of geometrical shapes of their particles. However, evaluation of briquette mechanical quality unsatisfactory results. Process of briquetting revealed unsuitability of oat feedstock for briquette production; other materials proved following values of volume density and mechanical durability (in sequence): wheat – 1,023.19 kg m^-3, 89.1%; poppy – 1,141.43 kg m^-3, 94.7%; mixture – 972.49 kg m^-3, 62.7%. In general, only poppy briquettes achieved requested mechanical quality level for commercial briquette production. However, undeniable advantage of investigated materials is the form they occurred in; no further feedstock preparation (drying, crushing) was needed.

Key words:

calorific value, cereal husk, mechanical durability, renewable energy, solid biofuels