Study on fuel properties of important biomass briquetting feedstocks in India

Abstract

Briquetting of biomass presents a possible avenue for the large scale and sustainable utilization of waste biomass resources for energy production. Biomass feedstocks in their original form are difficult to use because of their high moisture content, irregular shape and sizes, and low bulk density. Densification of biomass materials, known as briquetting, not only improves the energy efficiency of biomass resources but also facilitates easy transportation, handling and storage. In this paper, we have studied fuel properties (calorific value, ash, volatile and fixed carbon content) of important biomass residues such as bamboo dust, coffee husk, groundnut shell, rice husk and saw dust. These lignocellulosic biomasses are commercially utilized for biomass briquetting in India. The result of the study suggests significant variations in fuel properties of biomasses. Ash content, volatile matter content and fixed carbon content varied significantly between 0.6-20, 61-73 and 13-20%, respectively. Calorific value also varied significantly (14-20 MJ/kg) among different biomass. Fuel properties of agriculture residues were found to be different from those of forest residues. The variation in fuel properties has been attributed to difference in chemical and elemental characteristics of biomasses.