Composite Briquettes Research Articles

Study on strength and reduction characteristics of iron ore powder-green carbon composite briquettes

The metallurgical industry is a key sector for carbon emissions, and in recent years, there has been widespread attention on the use of biomass resources as a green, renewable, and carbon–neutral energy source material for low carbon ironmaking processes. The waste wood after hydrothermal-pyrolysis carbonization has the characteristics of low content of harmful elements and high content of fixed carbon. In this study, the waste wood after hydrothermal-pyrolysis two-step carbonization treatment was used as a reducing agent for the reduction of iron ore to prepare iron ore powder- green carbon composite briquettes (ICCB) with two carbon–oxygen ratios. The study investigated the effects of reduction behavior and reaction temperature on the reduction performance of the ICCB. The results indicate that with the increase in reaction temperature, the volume of the ICCB gradually contracts, leading to a reduction in mass. The shrinkage rate of the ICCB during self-reduction at 1200℃ is significantly higher than during co-reduction, and the shrinkage effect of the C/O 0.5 ICCB is more pronounced than that of the C/O 0.8 ICCB. Due to the excessive carbon content in the C/O 0.8 ICCB, the carbon cannot be fully consumed during the reaction process, resulting in consistently low compressive strength of the ICCB, with a compressive strength of 12 N after reduction at 1200℃. In contrast, the iron phase in the C/O 0.5 ICCB gradually recrystallizes during the reduction process, ultimately yielding plastic iron briquettes with compressive strengths exceeding 3000 N after different reaction behaviors at 1200℃. In summary, reducing the carbon-to-oxygen ratio and increasing the reaction temperature contribute to the volume contraction and enhanced compressive strength of the ICCB during the reduction process.

Mechanical and thermal properties of composite carbonized briquettes developed from cassava (Manihot esculenta) rhizomes and groundnut (Arachis hypogea. L.) stalks with jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) waste as binder

Composite briquettes from agricultural residues are a potential sustainable domestic solid fuel resource. This study aimed to develop and characterize composite briquettes developed from cassava rhizomes and groundnut stalks with jackfruit waste binder as an alternative sustainable fuel for domestic cooking applications. Cassava rhizomes and groundnuts stalks feedstock were carbonized in a step-down kiln under slow pyrolysis conditions at temperatures between 400 and 500 ℃. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to determine the proximate and thermal properties of the developed composite briquettes. Bomb calorimetry was used to determine their heating values. Relaxed density, drop strength and compressive strength results were used to determine the mechanical properties of the developed briquettes. Design of Experiments (Box Behnken design) was used to evaluate the effect of factors (biochar amount, jackfruit waste binder amount, and amount of water) on the mechanical and thermal properties of the developed composite briquettes. The Coats-Redfern kinetic model was used to determine the activation energy for the developed briquettes. Calorific values and drop strength of developed composite briquettes ranged from 18.1 to 24.0 MJ/kg and 92–99%, respectively. Combustion performance results indicated that ignition temperature increased from 155.1 to 184 ∘C\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^\\circ{\\rm C}$$\\end{document}, when heating rate was increased from 10 to 15 ∘C\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^\\circ{\\rm C}$$\\end{document}/min. However, burnout temperature decreased from 618.1 to 453 ∘C\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^\\circ{\\rm C}$$\\end{document}/min with a similar corresponding increase in heating rate. Optimum biochar amount, amount of water, and jackfruit waste binder amount for optimal mechanical and thermal properties were 89.3%, 893.0 ml, and 29.5 g, respectively. Composite briquettes developed from cassava rhizomes and groundnut stalks with jackfruit waste as binder are suitable potential domestic cooking fuels.

Characteristics of composite briquettes produced from carbonized banana peels and waste glass

Briquettes made from carbonized agricultural residues present sustainable material alternatives to wood charcoal and firewood for commercial and industrial applications. However, these briquettes are plagued by property weaknesses including low drop strength and thermal efficiency. Therefore, this study focuses on enhancing the physical, mechanical and thermal properties of composite briquettes produced from carbonized banana peels and waste glass. Composite briquettes comprised of banana peels biochar and waste glass powder (0%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%) were developed, characterized, and evaluated using thermo-gravimetric analysis and bomb calorimetry to determine thermo-physical properties and higher heating values, respectively. The thermal efficiency and emissions (CO, CO2, and PM2.5) were assessed using the water boiling test and an emissions monitoring system. Proximate analysis revealed that moisture content, volatile matter, fixed carbon, and ash content of the developed briquettes ranged from 2.5 to 9.7%, 19.2 to 37.2%, 28.7 to 55.6%, and 7.2 to 44.9%, respectively. Drop strength for the briquettes was 84% without waste glass in the composite, increasing to 94–98% with waste glass included in the composite matrix. Higher heating values ranged from 20.1 to 35.8 MJ/kg. Thermal efficiency rose from 22% with no waste glass powder to 40% with 50% waste glass powder addition, while CO and CO2 emissions decreased from 41 to 11 ppm; and 50 to 15 ppm, respectively. PM2.5 remained constant across all banana peel biochar waste glass composites. Notably, even a modest 10% waste glass composition significantly improved drop strength and thermal efficiency, but higher waste glass percentages correlated with elevated ash values and reduced higher heating values. Therefore, the developed composite briquettes can be used in commercial and industrial applications including in some industrial boilers.

Study of the prospects of using composite briquettes from coffee waste for phytoremediation technologies of degraded lands

Study of the prospects of using composite briquettes from coffee waste for phytoremediation technologies of degraded lands

Production of Composite Briquette Fuel from Brewery Wastewater Sludge and Spent Grains.

Biomass waste energy recovery is a significant method for recycling energy from waste and capturing it for use in renewable energy sources. The abundance of brewing byproducts, such as brewery spent grain (BSG) and brewery wastewater sludge (BWWS), as well as their high carbon concentrations gives these wastes energy potential. With 20% molasses utilized as a binding agent to maximize the high caloric value of the briquette, this study sought to examine the quality of mixed briquettes made from BSG and BWWS. In order to make composite briquettes with a maximum caloric content of 19.94 MJ/kg, the ideal conditions were chosen, which included a temperature of 350°C, a production period of 60 min, and a 75% BSG mixing ratio. It can be compared to sawdust briquettes, which have a calorific value of 22.88 MJ/kg, by looking at the calorific value of densified with pressure 100 bar for mixed carbonized briquettes vs mixed noncarbonized briquettes (21.13 MJ/kg). The value of R 2 was 0.9607 and indicated that 96.07% of the total validation in the calorific value correlation between experimental and predicted values. The finding of the study showed that the efficiency of the quadratic model in fitting the data would be higher under the conditions of the experiment. Based on ISO 17225-6 fuel quality classes and specifications for graded nonwoody pellets, the study concluded that using BSG and BWWS as alternative energy sources meets those requirements.

Prospects for phytorecultivation of degraded lands by composite biohumus briquette

Purpose. The study of the processing of organic waste by California worms of the Eisenia fetida species is presented, and the optimal content of the composite mix of biohumus briquettes for the needs of phytoremediation of degraded and contaminated lands is substantiated. The methods are based on a theoretical analysis of vermiculture technologies, laboratory studies on the influence of temperature and humidity on the growth of the worm population and biohumus production; vegetation experiments using multicomponent biohumus mixtures with yellow-brown loams and seeds of wild cereals for phytorecultivation of degraded and contaminated lands. Findings. The growth process of the biomass of the Eisenia fetida worms and the accumulation of biohumus over the time depending on the environment temperature were studied. The results of the laboratory bioindication experiments with composite briquettes consisting of biohumus, loam and seeds of wild cereals are presented. Vegetation experiments were carried out on complex multi-component mixtures to analyze the germination efficiency of seeds of wild cereals like Avena fatua and Brōmus inērmis for the purpose of technogenic lands reclamation. It was established that the optimal moisture of the biohumus substrate, at which the highest yield of vermiculture biomass was observed, is 60–70%, and the temperature range varies within 20–30°С. The originality. It was established that the most optimal ratio of biohumus and loam in the content of composite briquettes for plant growth is 20:30 and 30:20 by mass, which makes it possible to substantiate the working mixtures of phytomeliorants for degraded lands biological reclamation technologies. Practical implementation. The use of vermiculture products helps increase soil fertility, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. The performed laboratory studies show the prospects of using biohumus with plant seeds in the form of composite briquettes for phytoremediation of degraded and contaminated lands.

Promoting industrial symbiosis and circularisation by optimising waste-based briquette shelf life

The fusion of the circular economy and industrial symbiosis has several advantages from an economic and developmental standpoint. Cooking energy security issues in Africa can partly be solved by the utilization of waste resources in energy technology decisions such as briquette. However, one of the limitations associated with waste-based briquettes has been identified as a reduction in efficiency when stored for a long period of time under varied storage conditions. The aim of this study was to ascertain the effects of storage time and exposure on the calorific value and mechanical characteristics of a waste-based composite briquette made from oil palm shell and decanter cake after 180 days of storage. The calorific value decreased by 12.99% and 31.40%, respectively, for sealed packaged storage and open-air storage. On the 180th day of the experiment, the packaged storage and the open-air storage registered 1000.48 kg/m3 and 870 kg/m3, 72.34% and 100%, 712% and 895%, and 118% and 143% for relaxed densities, shatter indices, resistance to impact, and hygroscopic properties respectively. Manufacturers within West Africa can adopt the findings in this study as a guide for their processes.

Utilization of Solid Plant Wastes as Composite Briquettes for Use in Blast Furnace

Utilization of Solid Plant Wastes as Composite Briquettes for Use in Blast Furnace

Multivariate decisions: Modelling waste-based charcoal briquette formulation process

The current study sets out to optimize resource utilization by coupling data envelopment analysis (DEA) with the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) methodology to model sustainable binder choice without experimenting available binders. The results of the AHP showed that the cardboard pulp binder was the preferred material to use. Cardboard pulp binder, palm kernel decanter cake, and charred palm kernel shells in a ratio of 10: 20:70 was the used to manufacture composite briquettes. The values obtained for calorific value, specific fuel consumption, and average burning rate were 22.72 MJ/kg, 2.21 kg/L, and 4.87 g/min respectively for the optimal choice. The briquettes produced in this study promotes circular economy and provides a novel framework to address cooking energy poverty issues through the manufacturing of waste-based biofuels. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in sub-Saharan Africa to use these waste resources to create composite briquettes.

Efficient pre-reduction of chromite ore with biochar under microwave irradiation

Pre-reduction of chromite ore is crucial for producing ferrochromium alloy by submerged arc furnace (SAF) smelting. In this study, an efficient method for low-temperature pre-reduction of chromite ore using biochar under microwave irradiation was explored to produce good burden for subsequent SAF smelting. The thermodynamic analysis proved the feasibility of the easy decomposition of the main phase in the ore, FeCr2O4 to Cr2O3, and finally to ferrochromium, mainly (Fe,Cr)7C3, in the commonly examined temperature range for pre-reduction. The characterizations of electromagnetic properties, microwave absorption capabilities, and temperature rising behaviors of the main raw materials and their mixtures showed that microwave heating could greatly improve the carbothermic reduction of chromite ore. Under the condition of C/O molar ratio of 1.2, addition of 2 wt% Na2B4O7, pre-reduction temperature of 1100 °C, and dwell time of 3 h, the chromite ore-biochar composite briquettes had efficient pre-reduction, producing pre-reduced briquettes with (Fe,Cr)7C3 as the main alloy phase. The iron and chromium metallization degrees (ηFe and ηCr) reached 98.1% and 86.8%, respectively. Compared with the conventional pre-reduction, they were increased by 15.9% and 51.7%, respectively. The results proved the feasibility of using microwave for efficent pre-reduction of chromite ore.

Retraction Note: Charging Biochar Composite Briquette in Blast Furnace for Reducing CO2 Emissions: Combined Numerical and Experimental Investigations

Retraction Note: Charging Biochar Composite Briquette in Blast Furnace for Reducing CO2 Emissions: Combined Numerical and Experimental Investigations

Carbothermal Reduction of Stainless Steel Dust and Laterite Nickel Ore: Slag Phase Behavior Regulation and Self-pulverization Control Mechanism

Stainless steel dust is a type of high basicity iron containing solid waste from the iron and steel smelting industry. In this study, the carbon-containing composite briquettes were prepared by adding low basicity laterite nickel ore and stainless steel dust, and the valuable metals Fe, Cr, and Ni were recovered by carbothermal reduction. The results show that the addition of laterite nickel ore into CBSL (carbon containing composite briquette of stainless steel dust and laterite nickel ore) effectively improves the recovery of metal Fe, Cr and Ni and the self-pulverization rate of reduction slag. The reduction temperature is 1450°C, the reduction time is 30 min, the FC/O (molar ratio of fixed carbon to oxygen) is 1.0, and the laterite nickel ore addition is 6%, the recoveries of metal Fe, Cr and Ni are 92.1%, 90.1% and 91.6%, respectively, and the self-pulverization rate of the reduction slag reaches 91.5%. The Ca2SiO4 phase content of the reduced slag at high temperature is 71.8%, and the reduced slag system is located in the orthosilicate Ca2SiO4 region of the phase diagram, which effectively improves metal recovery, enables efficient separation of the reduced product and reduces energy consumption for subsequent processing.

Fabrication and Characterization of Charcoal Briquettes Fuel from a Blend of Coconut Husk and Corncob

Energy is very essential to human livelihood and makes significant help to economic, social, and environmental features of human development. Biomass is certainly a very significant source of renewable energy worldwide and abundant with high energy potential. This research aimed to characterize and produce briquette fuel from the combination of coconut husk and corncob using starch as a binder. The composite briquettes were produced by varying the mixture ratio of coconut husk to corncob (CH: CC), 80:20, 60:40, 50:50, 40:60, 20:80 using starch as a binding agent. The physical and combustion characteristics were analyzed according to the America Society of Testing of Materials Standard. It was observed that the moisture content decreased from 5.02% to 4.88%, fixed carbon increased from 74.20% to 75.13%, volatile matter increased from 20.20% to 21.70%, Ash content decreased from 5.60% to 3.17% and the calorific value increased from 20.35 MJ/kg to 26.75 MJ/kg. The findings also show that the maximum density and durability indexes were 839 kg/m3 and 98.58%.
 The briquette at the ratio 20:80 of coconut husk to corncob has the highest calorific value and implies that it has more heating advantages and will therefore be suitable as an alternative solid fuel.

Kinetic investigation on the reduction of iron concentrate-charcoal composite briquette by forced stepwise isothermal analysis (FSIA)

Kinetic investigation on the reduction of iron concentrate-charcoal composite briquette by forced stepwise isothermal analysis (FSIA)

Effect of Inner Reductant Addition and Laying on Carbothermic Reduction Process of Laterite Nickel Ore/Coal Composite Briquette

Effect of Inner Reductant Addition and Laying on Carbothermic Reduction Process of Laterite Nickel Ore/Coal Composite Briquette

Techno-Economic Viability Assessment of a Household Scale Agricultural Residue Composite Briquette Project for Rural Communities in Nigeria

This study evaluated the technical and economic viability of a household scale composite briquette project. The objectives were to assess the quality of briquettes, estimate the cost of production, and determine the feasibility of the project. Briquettes were made from a blend of corncobs and the bark of oil palm trunk using a manual press. Production cost was estimated from the market price of commodities and specific economic indicators were used for feasibility analysis. Sensitivity analysis was performed on some essential input parameters that may affect the profitability of the project. Economic analysis revealed that the unit production cost of the briquettes was USD 0.16 per kg. The net present value was USD 6755.91 from the sale of briquettes at USD 0.26 per kg. An accounting profit is possible once briquette sales are above the break-even point of 7329.8 kg. Households could save about 25% from their per-capita expenditure on fuelwood when briquettes are utilized. Overall, the household briquette project is technically and economically viable in Nigeria. The significance of this study lies in the provision of a piece of baseline information to encourage local bio-energy development and serve as a guide for stakeholders in Nigeria with a potential interest in investing in briquette technology.

Processing of sunflower hulls and peat with production of melanin and composite fuel briquettes

The article discusses production of composite peat fuel briquettes from butter-making waste represented by sunflower hulls. The experiments prove manufacturability of briquettes at the quality of the standard first-grade peat fuel briquettes. The specific heats of sunflower hulls and composite briquettes are determined. Furthermore, the experimental tests show that ultrasonic treatment used to extract melanin from sunflower hulls changes the chemical composition of the raw material and its reactivity worth, as well as promotes an increase in the specific heat of sunflower hulls from 17.5 to 19.7 MJ/kg. The ultrasonic treatment degrades lignified tissue matrix of sunflower hulls. The Fouriertransform infrared spectra of lignin from sunflower hulls are analyzed before and after the ultrasonic treatment. Despite the strong resemblance, the spectra display differences in the structure of lignin, as well as in the ranges of fluctuation of methyl and methylene groups. It is shown that the yield of melanin from sunflower hulls in the optimized extraction conditions in the ultrasonic field (temperature 60 0С, extraction time 25 min, density 414 W/cm2, sunflower hulls : extractant ratio 1 : 40) totals 7.6% of the biomass of sunflower hulls. The size of melanin particles is 457–465 nm. The accomplished research proves feasibility of the integrated approach to processing of sunflower hulls to produce bio-active melanin and composite peat fuel briquettes.The study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, Project No. 20-69-47084.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Charging Biochar Composite Briquette in Blast Furnace for Reducing CO2 Emissions: Combined Numerical and Experimental Investigations

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Charging Biochar Composite Briquette in Blast Furnace for Reducing CO2 Emissions: Combined Numerical and Experimental Investigations

Numerical Simulation of Charging Biochar Composite Briquette to Blast Furnace

Partial replacement of coal and coke by biomass/biochar in the blast furnace (BF) ironmaking is important role to reduce CO2 emissions. In this research, numerical investigations were conducted on blast furnace (BF) operation with biochar composite briquette (BCB) charging. The BCB was with 11.1 mass% carbon, 72.7 mass% magnetite, 11.25 mass% wustite, 0.77 mass% metallic iron, and 4.67 mass% gangue, and the BCB charging ratio was from 0 to 60% Results revealed that in the BF operation with BCB charging, the BCB iron-oxide reached a full reduction, but the overall gasification degree of BCB biochar decreased with the increase of BCB charging ratio. By charging BCB, the thermal state in the upper BF was considerably altered, but it was insignificantly influenced in the lower BF. By charging BCB; ore reduction was retarded in the upper BF but was prompted near the zone with a temperature of 1173 K. Under a low BCB charging ratio, local gas utilization tended to increase in the mid BF but tended to decrease in the upper BF. Further increasing BCB charging ratio lead to a decrease in local gas utilization. To ensure BF smooth running and maximizing biochar input, the optimal BCB charging ratio was 40%. Under this condition, the BCB biochar of 89.3 kg/tHM could be completely utilized, and the BF coke rate was decreased by 92.1 kg/tHM.

Evaluation of composite briquettes from dry leaves in energy applications for agrarian communities in India

The current study was carried out to explore the characteristics of biomass briquettes produced with different proportion of dry leaves, sawdust, and rice husk with starch as binder. The briquettes were created in the laboratory with a compression testing machine at a pressure of 150 MPa. The biomass particles, which are smaller than 1.18 mm, were utilized. The heating value and the ultimate analysis were determined by means of an empirical formula based on the values obtained from the proximate analysis. After a drying period of 7 days, the quality of the briquettes was evaluated. Briquette made from 100% dry leaves showed the highest density (1.193 g/cc) heating value (4789 kcal/kg), shatter resistance (89%), and water resistance (68.56%) and fixed carbon (25.58%). The heating value and durability performance have validated the use of dry leaves for the preparation of briquettes. The study demonstrates a way to reduce dry leaves waste, which could be utilized as a biomass fuel.