Influence of raw material properties on energy consumption during briquetting process

Tatiana Ivanova,Radek Novotny,Petr Hutla,Alexandru Muntean,Bohumil Havrland

doi:10.1051/bioconf/20181002006

Abstract

Biomass is doubtless a very significant source of renewable energy being worldwide abundant with high energy potential. This paper deals with assessment energy consumption at especially grinding and briquetting processes, which should result in essential economy of energy at solid biofuel production. Various types of raw materials were used at the experiment such as hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) biomass, two species of Miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis, Miscanthus x gigantheus) and apple wood biomass. These materials were dried, grinded and pressed by piston press having pressing chamber diameter of 65 mm. Materials were grinded into three fractions (4 mm, 8 mm and 12 mm). Material throughput (kg.h-1) and energy consumption (kWh.t-1) were registered. As to results: the highest throughput at both grinding cases as well as briquetting was found at apple wood biomass; however the energy consumption during briquetting of apple wood was relatively high. The worst results concerning throughput and energy consumption (especially at briquetting) were found at hemp biomass. Nevertheless, briquettes made of hemp had the best mechanical durability. Both Miscunthus species (herbaceous biomass) have very similar parameters and showed quite good relation between throughput and energy consumption at the used machines.

Highlights

In recent years, there has been a growing interest at the global level in the use of energy biomass [1]
Briquettes are produced by pressing equipment
The big advantage is that briquetting process is pressing loose raw material into briquettes with a particular shape and reduces transportation and storage costs [1]

Summary

Introduction

There has been a growing interest at the global level in the use of energy biomass [1]. Biomass is the third largest alternative energy source in the world, after coal and oil. Half of the world uses biomass energy as primary energy source [2]. Biomass cycle can help to reduce CO2 concentrations [3] and it is the only renewable source that can be directly converted into solid, liquid or gas forms/biofuels [4]. Briquetting increases energy density and significantly reduces volume of solid biofuel [5]. The big advantage is that briquetting process is pressing loose raw material into briquettes with a particular shape and reduces transportation and storage costs [1]. On the other hand, briquetting process is expensive; purchase price of briquetting lines and energy inputs are generally high [6]

Methods

Results

Conclusion