Quality Improvement and Cost Evaluation of Pellet Fuel Produced from Pruned Fruit Tree Branches

Yining Li,Kang Kang,Wei Wang

doi:10.3390/en15010113

Abstract

Biomass-based pellet is an important source of renewable energy. In this study, to obtain the high-quality fuel pellet via the densification of pruned branches of fruit trees, we investigated the optimization of blending ratios for different raw materials using branches from jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.), which is a widely distributed waste biomass resource in China. Through the characterization of raw materials and pellets, the effects of different raw materials on the storage, transportation, and combustion performances of the pellets can be understood. The cost evaluation analysis showed that the two optimized, co-densified pellets had great cost advantages compared with the pure jujube branch pellets. This indicates the potential industrial value of optimized pellets. The results of this study can help to improve the application value of orchard residues and generate an additional profit for fruit plantations, simultaneously avoiding the environmental damage caused by its open combustion.

Highlights

Energy has always been crucial for human survival and development [1]
As revealed in the analysis presented in Section 3.2.1 (Optimization of JBC Contents), the increased JBC content reduced the drop resistance and pellet density of the pellet samples
The pellet density of the optimized formula parameter samples decreased by 16.16% and 10.28%, respectively, compared to the sample prepared from pure jujube tree branches (JB)

Summary

Introduction

Energy has always been crucial for human survival and development [1]. In recent years, the fast consumption of fossil energy has shown an increasingly negative impact on the global environment [2,3]. The development and utilization of alternative energy sources have become major concerns at the global scale [4,5]. The pruned branches of fruit trees produced during routine orchard management are one of the key producers of Chinese orchard residues [10,11]. Due to their low bulk density and complicated geological distribution, pruned branches are often treated as solid waste. Their poor storage, transportation, and combustion performance makes economic benefits difficult, further resulting in excessive resource waste and environmental pollution through open combustion [12,13]

Methods

Results

Conclusion