A study of coal upgrading in briquette making based on briquette characteristics using heated mechanical metods

Abstract

Indonesia has low quality coal reserves which are quite abundant. The low quality of coal is due to the inherent water content that is still quite high. Therefore, an upgrading process is needed. The upgrading process is intended to increase the calorific value of coal. The upgrading process can be applied to the process of coal briquettemaking. Generally, the manufacturing of low quality coal briquettes uses mechanical and heating methods in two different processes. In this study, the manufacturing of the briquettes uses the tools in a series of processes. The working principle of this tool is based on the strength of pressure and heating temperature. The maximum pressure is 900 psi, and the maximum heating temperature is 150°C. One of the important factors that determines the success of the upgrading process is the magnitude of heating temperature. The variations of heating temperature used are 50°C, 75°C, 100°C, 125°C, 150°C. The heating temperature affects the characteristics of coal briquettes produced. The heating temperature that produces the best quality coal briquettes is 150°C. The results of analysis of the coal briquette’s composition are as follows: the inherent water content is 11.00%, the volatile substance level is 46.48%, the ash content is 6.13%, the fixed carbon value is 36.39, and the calorific value is 5.235cal / gr.