Bio-coal Briquettes Research Articles

Properties of biocoal briquettes from mesoporous coals and rice husk and their effects on environmental pollution

This work assessed some properties and effects of biocoal briquettes on environmental pollution compared with utilising coal alone. A mixture of coal fines and rice husks was prepared, with cassava starch gel as a binder, before compaction in a briquetting machine and drying with a solar dryer. Samples of the coal fines, rice husk, cassava flour and briquettes were analysed for their elemental and oxide concentrations via an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence analyser. The heat fuels were analysed for their thermal behaviour via thermogravimetric analyser (TGA), whereas the specific surface area, pore size and pore volume were determined using a Brunner–Emmett–Teller (BET) analyser. The conversion of the tested coals to biocoal briquettes resulted in a reduction in the level of arsenic in the briquettes. Additionally, the sulphur level decreased from 1.96 to 1.11% in the Okobo-Enjema briquettes and from 1.78 to 0.90% in the Onyeama briquettes. However, the levels of manganese increased from 0.04 to 0.22% in the Okobo-Enjema briquettes and from 0.04 to 0.21% in the Onyeama briquettes. Thermogravimetric analysis at different heating rates revealed that derivative weight loss increased with increasing heating rate, from 4.4% at 10 °C/min to 5.5% at 20 °C/min. BET analysis revealed that the briquettes had larger pore diameters, volumes and specific surface areas than did the coal samples. The coal samples have greater propensity to pollute the environment as the amount of potentially hazardous elements in the samples is greater than in their biocoal briquettes.

Pemanfaatan Limbah Ampas Tebu Menjadi Briket Bio-Batubara Menggunakan Perekat Tapioka

The research carried out aims to utilize bagasse waste and determine the characteristics of bio-coal briquettes made from bagasse waste with the addition of coal. This research was conducted with reference to a completely randomized design (CRD) with two factors and three replications. The first factor is the comparison of the composition of the main raw materials in the form of bagasse and coal (P) which includes four treatment levels, namely 100%: 0% (P0), 40%: 60% (P1), 60%: 40% (P2) and 80 %: 20% (P3).The second factor is the concentration ratio of tapioca adhesive which includes three treatment levels, namely 10% (K1), 15% (K2) and 20% (K3). There are seven parameters tested in this study, namely density, moisture content, compressive strength, shatter resistance index, calorific value, combustion rate and basic temperature of the cooking pancie when burning briquettes.The results showed that the higher the percentage of coal in the composition of the main raw material tends to increase the compressive strength and decrease the burning rate of the briquettes. Meanwhile, the lower the tapioca adhesive concentration used tends to increase the density, compressive strength, and shatter resistance index and reduce the burning rate of briquettes. The briquettes produced in this study resulted in the following characteristics: briquette density ranged from 0.36 to 0.44 g / cm3, the moisture content ranges from 4.04% - 6.42%, compressive strength ranges from 26.87 - 46.15 N / cm2, the shatter resistance index ranges from 96.02% - 96.78%, the actual heating value ranges from 3266.1 - 4588.5 cal / g, the theoretical calorific value ranged from 1988.1 to 4483.6 cal / g, the briquette combustion rate ranged from 1.818 to 3.125 g / min, and the highest basic cooking pancie temperature was obtained in the P1K1 treatment combination of 229ºC. Keywords: Briquettes, Coal, Tapioca Glue, Waste Bagasse.

Investigation of the Combustion Properties of Bio-Coal Briquette Blends of Prosopis Africana Pods

This study investigated the properties of bio-coal briquettes made by blending coal with Prosopis Africana pods in order to determine the optimum biomass composition. The briquettes were produced using a hydraulic press at 10 MPa applied to coal: biomass compositions of 100:0, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, 20:80 and 0:100% by weight of mixture and particle size of 600 μm. Cassava starch and Calcium Hydroxide acted as binder and desulphurization agent respectively. The physical, mechanical and combustion characteristics of the briquette samples produced were determined based on ASTM standards. Results revealed that bio-coal briquettes from produced Prosopis Africana pods can serve as an alternative energy source for heating and cooking applications in Nigeria. The results of analysing data from the physical, ultimate and proximate properties of the produced briquettes indicated that the optimum biomass composition for producing briquettes from coal and Prosopis Africana pods is 40% as its taps into the superior combustion characteristics of both the coal sample and biomass sample.

Pengaruh Perbedaan Komposisi dan Ukuran Partikel Batang Singkong dan Batubara Terhadap Kualitas Bahan Bakar Briket Biocoal

A severe energy crisis the Indonesians whose notes had once been members of OPEC or petroleum exporters are particularly tricky. Coal production Indonesia in 2017 totaled 461 million tons were given priority to the mouth of mine. With production at a figure of millions of tons of coal, it could be an alternative fuel choice that replaced oil that began to shrink production. Coupled with a natural adhesive use of the cassava sewage system, it can serve as an alternative energy source called a biocoal briquette. The aim of the study is to see how the composition and the size of the cassava steam and coal particles in the quality of a biocoal briquette. The research uses complete randomizwd design (CRD) arranged vectorally by three replications. The first factor is material composition (b) (50%BB:50%BS, 40%BB:60%BS, and 30%BB:70%BS). The second factor is the scuttle (m) (10mesh, 20mesh, and 30mesh). Research shows that sewage from the cassava stem is worthy of being used for the manufacture of a biocoal briquette fuel. Producing the following characteristics : water content ranges between5.26-6.77% already meeting the quality standards (SNI 4931/2010) by 17%, the density of the population between 0.37-0.41g/cm³, the rate of arson between 0.35-0.38gr/minute, the kalor rate of between 4.548-5.064cal/g that already meets the kalor class A value standard of 5000-6000 cal/g and class B 4000-5000cal/g. Keywords: Biocoal Briquette, Coal, Cassava.

Effects of Bio-Coal Briquette for Residential Combustion on Brown Carbon Emission Reduction

Biomass burning is an important source of brown carbon (BrC) which poses high-risk threats to human health and the environment. In this study, bio-coal briquette (coal mixed with biomass), a promising solid fuel for residential combustion, is proven to be a clean fuel which can effectively reduce BrC emission. First of all, an orthogonal experiment with three factors and three levels on the physical property of bio-briquette was carried out to identify the optimal preparation conditions including the ratio of biomass to anthracite, particle size and molding pressure. Then a combustion experiment of the bio-coal briquetted was implemented in a simulated residential combustion system. BrC emission factors (EFs) were calculated based on the detected black carbon (BC) concentration by an aethalometer, and other optical characteristics for organic components of extract samplers, such as mass absorption efficiency (MAE) and absorption angstrom index (AAE), were also explored. Lastly, composition analysis of BrC by a gas chromatography (GC) tandem mass spectrometer (MS) and direct visible images by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were investigated to provide more detail information on BrC EFs and property change. It was shown that bio-coal briquette had such low BrC EFs that 70–81% BrC was reduced in comparison with an interpolation value of 100% biomass and 100% coal. Furthermore, the composition of BrC from bio-coal briquette burning was different, which consisted of more substances with strong wavelength dependence. Consequently, although MAE declined by 60% at a 540 nm wavelength, the AAE value of bio-coal briquette only decreased slightly compared with interpolation values. To be more specific, tar balls, the main existing form of BrC, were distributed much more sparsely in the SEM image of bio-coal briquette. To sum up, a positive reduction effect on BrC was discovered in bio-coal briquette. It is evident that bio-coal briquette can serve as an alternative solid fuel for residential combustion, which is beneficial for both human health and the atmosphere.

Analysis of the Characteristics of Bio-Coal Briquettes from Agricultural and Coal Industry Waste

One of the options for reducing harmful emissions in the production of heat energy is the use of biomass, including in combination with industrial waste (for instance, coal and coke dust). Recent studies demonstrate that a mix of biomass and coal makes it possible to obtain a bio-coal briquette with better characteristics, which is a motivating factor in the search for alternative sources of heat energy from local agricultural waste. The aim of this research is to study the properties of bio-coal briquettes from biomass (sunflower husks and leaves) and industrial waste (coal and coke dust). The raw material was grinded and used for the production of bio-coal briquettes of 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, and 70% of biomass. The biomass was grinded to the size of no more than 2 mm for the fine fraction and no more than 6 mm for the coarse fraction. The briquettes were made mechanically using a hydraulic press with a compression pressure of 25 MPa without the use of any binder. The characteristics of the investigated bio-coal briquettes, such as density, strength, moisture content, ash content, volatile yield, calorific value, ignition time, burning duration, and burning rate, have good enough values. The fine fraction briquettes compared to the coarse fraction briquettes have a longer burning time (about threefold longer) and a lower burning rate. For all briquettes, an increase in the composition of coal dust results in a rise in the burning time, whereas the burning rate falls. The best in terms of strength, calorific value and combustion parameters are the following briquettes: 70% sunflower husk and 30% coal dust from the Karazhyra deposit; 60% sunflower husk and 40% coal dust from the Shubarkul deposit; briquettes from 70% sunflower husk and 30% coke dust; briquettes from 80% leaves and 20% coal dust from the Karazhyra deposit; and briquettes from 70% leaves and 30% coal dust from the Shubarkul deposit. The selected briquettes are suitable as an alternative source of fuel.

Physical and Emission Properties of Blended Bio-Coal Briquettes Derived from Agro-Wastes in Nigeria

Physical and Emission Properties of Blended Bio-Coal Briquettes Derived from Agro-Wastes in Nigeria

Influence of Molding Technology on Thermal Efficiencies and Pollutant Emissions from Household Solid Fuel Combustion during Cooking Activities in Chinese Rural Areas

Resident combustion of solid fuel has been widely acknowledged as a high potential for pollutant reduction. However, there is a marked asymmetry between more pollutant emission and less burned volatiles of biomass and coal in the combustion process. To study the solid fuel optimum combustion form in a household stove, both the pollution reduction and energy efficient utilization of crop straws and coals were investigated. Taking the molding pressure and clay addition ratio as variable process conditions, the research of bio-coal briquette (made from the mixture of anthracite and biomass) was implemented in the range of 15~35 MP and 5~15%, respectively. Biomass and coal work complementarily for each other’s combustion property development. In particular, the pyrolysis gas produced by biomass low-temperature devolatilization is featured with low ignition point and is distributed in the bio-coal briquette. Its own combustion provides energy for anthracite particle combustion. Consequently, a positive effect was identified when bio-coal briquettes were used as residential fuel, and further improvement manifested in reducing more than 90% of particle matter (PM) and achieving about twice the thermal efficiencies (TEs) compared with the mass-weighted average values of coal briquettes and biomass briquettes. 88.8 ± 11.8%, 136.7 ± 13.7% and 81.4 ± 17.7% more TEs were provided by wheat straw–coal briquettes, rice straw–coal briquettes and maize straw–coal briquettes. 93.3 ± 3.1% (wheat straw–coal), 97.6 ± 0.2% (rice straw–coal) and 90.4 ± 2.2% (maize straw–coal) in terms of PM2.5 emission factors (EFs) was reduced. For bio-coal briquette, a 25 MPa and 10% addition were determined as the optimum molding pressure and clay addition ratio. Bio-coal briquettes with higher TEs and lower PM EFs will bring about substantial benefits for air quality promotion, human health and energy saving.

The effect of various varieties of cassava stems waste and tapioca adhesive concentrations on the quality of bio-coal briquette

This study aims to utilize the combination of cassava and coal waste as raw materials for making briquettes using several different concentrations of tapioca adhesives. This study uses a completely randomized design (RDC) with 2 factorials. The first factor is material composition, assigned by the letter P, which has 3 different varieties of different cassava, which are (P1) Kasetsart cassava and coal waste, (P2) Thai cassava and coal waste, and (P3) butter cassava and coal waste. The second factor is tapioca adhesive concentration, which consists of two different treatments: (M1) 15% and (M2) 20%. The combination of these different treatments then repeated 4 times resulted in 24 experimental units. The briquettes produced then underwent several characteristics tests, including water content, calorific value, combustion rate, density, compressive strength, shatter resistance index, and changes in the temperature of the pan base when the briquettes were burned. The acquired data then processed using Microsoft Excel 2010 and SAS v9 software. The data obtained will then be compared to SNI (Indonesia National Standard) to find out whether the briquette is fulfilling the requirement for application. The results are as follows: treatment P1M1 and P1M2 have a water content ranging from 5.36-7.09% and a calorific value between 4.427 – 5.541 cal/g, and it also fulfills the SNI Standard. Another characteristic is shown by P1M1 and P1M2 such as combustion rate around 0.37-0.4 g/min, density between 0.37-0.39 g/cm3, compressive strength between 48.67 N/cm2, and shatter resistance index numbering around 99.90-99.92%, able to fulfill 95% of the SNI requirement for bio coal briquette, as well as changes in the bottom temperature of the pan which has reached the highest temperature of 303°C in the 26th minute of the P1M1 treatment combination and the lowest is 311°C at the 28th minute of the P1M2 treatment combination.

Performance of Some Biocoal Briquettes Produced from Mixture of Sawdust and varying Nigeria Coals as Composite Domestic Fuel

Performance evaluation of biocoal briquettes from three different coal mines in Nigeria mixed with sawdust as composite domestic fuel was carried out. Samples of coals collected from Owukpa, Okpara, and Onyeama mines were pulverized and blended with sawdust at various constituent ratios of coal/sawdust of 0.0/100, 10/90, 20/80, 30/70, 40/60, 50/50 and 100/0.0. Cassava starch was used as binding material while calcium hydroxide was used for desulphurization. Tests carried out included proximate analyses, ultimate analyses, and performance analyses. Results showed that fixed carbon in all the coal samples ranges from the highest fixed carbon of 63.81% for Okpara (OK) to the lowest of 62.87% for Owukpa (OP70/30) while sawdust was 21.03%. The Onyeama Coal has 1.25% ash content compares with 5% for Owukpa. Onyeama coal contains the highest volatile matters of 29.61% while Owukpa biocoal briquette (OP50/50) has the highest percentage heat utilization of 88.61 and lowest specific fuel consumption of 0.31kg/kg. Onyeama coal (ON90/10) has the highest calorific value of 33.25 MJ/kg. The addition of sawdust in the biocoal briquettes resulted in lower volatile matter, low hydrogen, high percentage heat utilized and low specific fuel consumption.Keywords- Biocoal briquette, sawdust, proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, fixed carbon

Ash analyses of bio-coal briquettes produced using blended binder

The behaviour of ash of fuel affects its thermal efficiency when in use. The ash analyses of bio-coal briquettes developed from lean grade coal and torrefied woody biomass have received limited intensive study. Therefore, the present study aims at analysing the ashes of briquette made from lean grade coal and torrefied woody biomass using blended coal tar pitch and molasses as the binder. Bio-coal briquettes were produced from coal and torrefied biomass in various hybrid ratios. Ashing of various briquettes was done in a muffle furnace at 850 °C for 3 h. Mineral phases of the ash were identified using an X-ray Diffractometer (XRD), while the mineral oxides were obtained using an X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer. The AFT700 Furnace was used with its AFT700 software to evaluate the ash fusion temperatures of the ashes. The XRD patterns look similar, and quartz was found to be the dominant mineral phase present in the raw coal and bio-coal briquettes. The SiO2 (57–58%), Al2O3 (19–21%), and Fe2O3 (8–9%) were the major oxides observed in the ashes. The final fusion temperatures of the ashes range from 1300–1350 °C. The compositions of the ashes of the bio-coal briquettes are classified as detrital minerals. It was concluded that the addition of torrefied biomass (≤ 10%)and blended binder (le 15%) to coal gave a negligible impact on the ashes of the resultant bio-coal briquettes.

Towards Circular Economy through Waste to Biomass Energy in Madagascar

Biomass energy, contributing to about 80% of the total energy supply, is considered an important energy source in Madagascar. Although around 80% of energy use comes from biomass energy, the current application method of biomass in Madagascar is still in the earliest stage, which is not safe and sustainable. This is because the main form of biomass energy used in Madagascar is still solid charcoal and wood, and the technology is limited. Thus, it is necessary to search for better ways to utilize biomass energy in Madagascar because of high prices of traditional energy carriers and massive environmental pollution. This paper reviews the following: (1) a variety of available biomass wastes for energy in Madagascar including farming residuals, animal wastes, and forest wastes, as well as urban and industrial organic wastes; (2) advanced technologies, such as gasification, torrefaction, and fermentation, that can convert these wastes to biomass energy in forms with higher energy efficiency such as biogas, biocoal briquette, and ethanol fuel, which can not only help to achieve resource utilization of wastes and circular economy but also ease the energy crisis faced by Madagascar; and (3) Madagascar focused on the development of biomass energy with strategic policies and programs. International assistance also contributes to future promotion of biomass energy. It identifies several areas where research is urgently required to adopt instrumental policies to ensure that both rural development objectives and renewable energy targets are met with financial support from the government and international assistance.

EFFECT OF BIOMASS BLENDING AND DESULPHURIZATION ON FLUE GAS EMISSIONS OF NIGERIAN SUB BITUMINOUS COAL BRIQUETTES

The effect of blending, briquetting and desulphurization of coal and biocoal briquettes of Nigerian sub bituminous coal is discussed. The flue gas of the coal and biocoal samples were analyzed to study the emission characteristics of nitrogen oxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) due to environment concern with the use of coal as either domestic or industrial fuel. Sub bituminous coal sample from eight coal mines and sites in five states in Nigeria were collected. The states and sites included Kogi (Ogboyoga, Okaba), Benue(Owukpa),Nassarawa (Lafia/Obi), Ebonyi (Afikpo) and Enugu (Okpara,Onyeama and Ezinmo).The samples were pulverized and blended with sawdust at various constituent ratios of 0:100, 10:90, 20:80, 30:70, 40:60, 50:50 and 100:0 sawdust : coal. Cassava starch was used as binding material while calcium hydroxide was used as desulphurizing agent for the briquettes. Emission tests for various compositions of the briquettes were carried out and the O2, CO2, CO, NO2 and SO2 of the briquettes were compared. Results showed reduction in combustion emission with increase in sawdust concentration with the reduction in smoke and noxious gas emission. The sulphur dioxide range of the coal briquettes is between 0.018ppm and 0.028ppm which decreased to between 0.025and 0.005 ppm in biocoal briquettes. Same for nitrogen oxide which range between 0.034ppm and 0.038ppm but decreased to between 0.025 and 0.019 ppm and carbon monoxide range of between 0.3ppm and 0.48ppm which decreased to between 0.43ppm and 0.12 ppm in the biocoal briquettes. The 50:50 blends of sawdust to coal for Ogboyaga has the lowest carbon monoxide emission of 0.12 ppm; Okpara has the lowest sulphur dioxide emission of 0.005ppm while Onyeama has the lowest nitrogen oxide emission of 0.019 ppm. These are below the national ambient air quality standards which put sulphur dioxide at 1.4 x 10-1 ppm. The biocoal briquette emits less sulphur dioxide because it contains desulphurizing agent which fixes some of the sulphur that would have gone to the atmosphere to ash. Keywords: biocoal briquettes, blending, flue gas emissions, sub - bituminous coal.

Effective techniques for bio-coal briquettes production

The production of bio-coal briquettes gives an opportunity to utilize low grade coal as well as the great amount of agricultural residues, to increase the calorific value of obtained briquettes and to improve their chemical and physical properties. The present study is focused on developing the technological scheme which gives an opportunity to reduce the energy consumption in

VALUE INCREASING OF REJECT COAL WITH BIOMASS ADDING AS BIO-COAL BRIQUETTE

Aim: This paper aims to explain the added value increasing method of reject coal which has not utilized by the company. Methodology and Results: The method to increase added value in this study used the agglomeration process of briquettes form that changing composition by adding biomass. The biomass functions to minimize bottom ash produced from burning briquettes so that the briquettes burn entirely. Stages processes in this study consist of characterization, briquetting, physical test, and chemical test. Based on the analysis, reject coal still has a high calorific value of 5,929 cal/gr. Shapes and sizes that were not following needs of coal market or consumer due to reject coal to be a waste. Briquettes have been successfully produced and meet specification requirements based on applicable regulations in Indonesia. Besides physical properties, the briquette meet density requirements which are greater than or equal to 1 gr/cm3 and shatter index value is less than 0.5%. The gas emission test shows below threshold, which is CO 0-30 ppm, H2S 0-3.6 ppm, and NOx is not detected. After evaluation, it showed that by adding 30% biomass, ignition time could be decreased and remaining unburned briquettes or bottom ash was reduced as much as 68.68%. Conclusion, significance and impact study: The bio-coal briquettes is a strategic solution to environmental problems and alternative energy sources that are environmentally friendly, because CO and H2S emissions are still below the threshold, even for NOx not detected. Making Bio-coal briquettes as a solution to the utilization of reject coal mining waste to be used as an alternative energy source has been successfully carried out.

Characterization of bio-coal briquettes blended from low quality coal and biomass waste treated by Garant\xae bio-activator and its application for fuel combustion

Experimental research was carried out on the manufacturing of bio-coal briquettes from a blend of two different types of low-quality coal and biomass waste in the absence of coal carbonization, where the third blend of the material was fermented by adding a bio-activator solution before pressurizing the components into briquettes. The coal samples from Caringin–Garut Regency (BB–Garut) had a low calorific value and a high sulfur content (6.57 wt%), whereas the coal samples from Bayah–Lebak Regency (BB–Bayah) had a higher calorific value and a lower sulfur content (0.51 wt%). The biomass added to the coal blend is in the form of fermented cow dung (Bio–Kohe), and it had a calorific value of 4192 kcal/kg and a total sulfur content of 1.56 wt%. The main objective of this study is to determine the total decrease in the sulfur content in a blend of coal and biomass in which a fermentation process was carried out using a bio-activator for 24 h. The used bio-activator was made from Garant® (1:40) + molasses 1 wt%/vol, and its used amount was 0.2 L/kg. Also, the total sulfur content in the blend was 1.00 wt%–1.14 wt%, which fulfills the necessary quality requirements for non-carbonized bio-coal briquettes. The pyritic and sulfate content in the raw coal was dominant, and the organic sulfur, when fermented with Garant®, was found to be less in the produced bio-coal briquettes by 38%–58%.

Study of biomass briquettes made from human feces

Problems faced by urban terrain are the lack of knowledge about the processing of fecal droppings. Revenues are only based on the results of the processing into fertilizer tin ja still less to be the right solution. Solutions that can be offered is the processing of waste into bio-coal briquettes using basic ingredients that keep piling up feces in the city. The purpose of this study is to introduce the public or partners Community Partnership Program (CRP) on the processing of bio-coal briquettes made from feces as an alternative solution to the problems faced by the community, and an alternative business potential that can be developed by government companies that deal with this water. The method applied in overcoming these problems is through counselling, training with demonstrations of bio-charcoal briquette processing, as well as coaching and mentoring into a product ready for market. The event was held on 12-14 May 2019 in the eastern city terrain sub district field. The activities consist of participatory extension coupled with the demonstration of processed briquettes of goat manure and pecan shells as well as packaging and testing the quality of the briquettes.

Effects of carbonization duration on the characteristics of bio-coal briquettes (coal and cane waste)

One of the technologies used to utilize low quality coal is by making bio-coal briquettes. Bio-coal briquettes are briquettes made of a mixture of coal and biomass. In this study, bagasse biomass is used as a mixture material of the briquettes. The objective of this study is to disclose the effects of the duration of carbonization on the characteristics of the briquettes. The process of carbonization is conducted to reduce water content and the level of volatile substances and increase the calorific value of the raw materials, so that the resulting briquettes will be of higher quality. This study uses the variations of carbonization duration of 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 minutes. The result of the study reveals that the best duration of carbonization of raw materials in making bio-coal briquettes is 150 minutes. The bio-coal briquettes made with the duration of carbonization of 150 minutes has moisture content of 10.25%, ash content of 12.91%, volatile substance content of 31.88%, fixed carbon content of 44.96%, calorific value of 5,897 cal / gram, initial ignition time of 6.85 minutes, duration of combustionof 20.26 minutes, CO gas emission of 395 mg / Nm3, and NO gas emission of 5.6 mg / Nm3.

Bio-coal briquettes using low-grade coal

The technology in using briquettes for fuel has been widely used in many countries for both domestic and industrial purposes. Common types of briquette used are coal, peat, charcoal, and biomass. Several researches have been carried out in regards to the production and the use of briquettes. Recently, researches show that mixing coal and biomass will result in an environmentally friendly briquette with better combustion and physical characteristics. This type of briquette is known as bio-coal briquettes. Bio-coal briquettes are made from agriculture waste and coal, which are readily available, cheap and affordable. Researchers make these bio-coal briquettes with different aims and objectives, depending on the issues to address, e.g. utilizing agricultural waste as an alternative energy to replace fossil fuels that are depleting its reserves, adding coal to biomass in order to add calorific value to bio-coal briquette, and adding biomass to coal to improve its chemical and physical properties. In our research, biocoal briquettes are made to utilize low grade coal. The biomass we use, however, is different from the ones used in past researches because it has undergone fermentation. The benefits of using such biomass are 1. Fermentation turns the hemi cellulose into a simpler form, so that the burning activation energy decreases while the calorific value increases. 2. Enzym produced will bind to heavy metals from coal as co-factors, forming metals that are environmentally friendly.

Coal blending preparation for non-carbonized coal briquettes

Referring to the national energy policy targets for the years 2025, the government has launched the use of coal briquettes as an alternative energy replacement for kerosene and firewood. Non-carbonized briquettes in the form of coal briquettes as well as bio-coal briquettes are used in many small-medium industries and households, and are rarely used by large industries. The standard quality of coal briquettes used as raw material for non-carbonized briquettes is a minimum calorific value of 4,400 kcal/kg (adb); total sulfur at a maximum of 1% (adb), and water content at <12% (adb). The formation of coal deposits depends on the origin of the coal-forming materials (plants), the environment of deposition, and the geological conditions of the surrounding area, so that the coal deposits in each region will be different as well as the amount and also the quality. Therefore, the quantity and the quality of coal in each area are different to be eligible in the making of briquettes to do blending. In addition to the coal blending, it is also necessary to select the right materials in the making of coal briquettes and bio-coal briquettes. The formulation of the right mixture of material in the making of briquettes, can be produced of good quality and environmental friendly.