Characterization of pellets made from rose oil processing solid wastes/coal powder/pine bark

Abstract

Solid biofuels are renewable energy sources where raw material can be obtained from local sources. Many developed countries consider biomass energy as the main energy source of the future. Therefore, pelletization of locally available rose oil-processing solid wastes, lignite coal powder and pine bark was performed. Particle density, abrasive and impact resistance, equilibrium moisture content, compressive resistance, and combustion characteristics were determined to test the fuel qualities of six pellet blends. The increased amount of lignite coal powder (up to 75%) in the pellet blend decreased the impact resistance and durability. The blends with 50% rose oil-processing solid waste and 30% pine bark yielded the highest equilibrium moisture content (8.22%). The addition of pine bark to increase the tensile strength was limited to 30% or less. The addition of lignite coal powder increased the combustion temperature ranges and decreased the maximum weight loss rates, thereby increasing the combustion efficiency of the pellets. This study showed that the production of the pellets mixing rose oil-processing solid waste with lignite coal dust and pine barks appeared to be a promising feedstock for energy generation.