Production and Physical-Mechanical Characterization of Briquettes from Coconut Fiber and Sugarcane Straw

Abstract

Biomass in a broad sense has a great energy potential. It can be densified improving the logistic and the energetic efficiency. The aim of the present work was the characterization of coconut fiber (FC) and sugarcane straw (PC) and the evaluation of mechanical properties of the briquettes produced from these materials. The samples of materials were performed to proximate analysis and high heating value (HHV) with three repetitions. Five different blends were tested with 15 repetitions for each blend: treatment T1 (100% FC), T2 (75% FC and 25% PC), T3 (50% FC and 50% PC), T4 (25% FC and 75% PC) and T5 (100% PC). It was used particles size smaller than 0.84 mm with 12% moisture content for the briquettes production. The process was done in a hydraulic press without heating or binder. Briquette length expansion at specific time intervals was determined over a 72 hours period. The strength and friability of briquettes were measured after the production period of six days. The results showed that in the proximate analysis and HHV coconut fiber and sugarcane straw presented 74.01% and 77.50% for volatile matter, 3.71% and 5.68% for ash, 22.28% and 16.81% for fixed carbon, 18.24 MJ.kg -1 e 17.49 MJ.kg -1 for HHV, respectively. Sugarcane straw briquettes were classified as very crumbly. However, blending coconut fiber with sugarcane straw improved the quality of briquette.Keywords: Biomass; bioenergy; mechanical strength; solid biofuel. ResumoA biomassa, em geral, mostra um grande potencial energético. Ainda na sua forma compactada pode melhorar a logística e a eficiência energética. Neste sentido o presente trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar a fibra de coco (FC) e a palha de cana-de-açúcar (PC) e avaliar as propriedades mecânicas dos briquetes produzidos. A biomassa foi caracterizada em relação à analises química imediata e poder calorífico superior (PCS) com três repetições cada. Para a produção dos briquetes foram realizados cinco tratamentos com 15 repetições: tratamento T1 (100% FC), T2 (75% FC e 25% PC), T3 (50% FC e 50% PC), T4 (25% FC e 75% PC) e T5 (100% PC). Briquetes foram produzidos utilizando os materiais com granulometria inferior a 0.84 mm e teor de umidade de 12%. Foi utilizada uma prensa hidráulica sem aquecimento e não houve adição de aglutinante. A expansão dos briquetes foi acompanhada durante as suas primeiras 72 horas. Após seis dias da produção, os briquetes foram submetidos aos testes de resistência mecânica. Os resultados na análise química imediata e PCS, mostraram que a fibra de coco e a palha da cana-de-açúcar apresentaram valores de 74.01% e 77.50% para voláteis, 3.71% e 5.68% para cinzas, 22.28% e 16.81% para carbono fixo, 18.24 MJ.kg Palavras-chave: Biomassa; bioenergia; resistência mecânica; biocombustível sólido.

Raw cassava rhizome waste as a binder in sugarcane bagasse and straw briquettes

“…The values of the volatile matter (TV), ash content (TC), fixed carbon content (TCF), higher heating value (HHV) and the comparisons with other studies are presented in Table 5. [48] The results for TV agree with the literature (Da Silva et al, 2015, Leal et al, 2013, D. Padilla et al, 2016, Veiga, 2012. The difference for the TV of the cassava rhizome was 13,55% less compared to results presented by Veiga et al [48].…”

Empirical Studies on Biomass Briquette Production: A Literature Review

“…Despite the diversity of materials composing the briquettes, most of the research made use of hydraulic presses (manual, automated, bench and experimental). As the model in Figure 4, used in at least three of the works [34,40,46]. Piston presses, screw extruders and others were also used.…”

“…Already the briquettes made up of 75% pine wood and 25% of other residues resulted in excellent properties of equilibrium moisture content (9-11% by weight), tensile strength (415-569 kgf), apparent density (1107-1163 kg•m −3 ) and energy density (19,,899 MJ•m −3 ). (%) [29] 100 [43] 65 [28] 10 * 90 [44] 10 [13] 75 100 [34] 75 [30] 90 [39] 50 * 100 [31] 90 [46] 100 * Optimal values indicated by the authors, [29] Corncobs (CC), [43] Cashew nut shells (CNS) and contain 10 to 20% of cassava flour, [28] Cornhusk (CH), [44] Sawdust (S), [13] Pine wood, [34] Sugar cane bagasse, [30] Date palm trunk biomass, [39] Charcoal fines, [31] Coke, [46] Coconut fiber (FC).…”

“…Kumar and Chandrashekar [37] used large (5 to 6 mm) and small (≤1 mm) particles in the proportion of 1: 4. D. Padilla et al [46] used granulometry smaller than 0.84 mm.…”

Efecto de la adición de aglomerantes en las propiedades mecánicas de los pellets de biomasa

“…Existen normas estandarizadas para calcular el índice de durabilidad (PDI), o simplemente porcentaje de durabilidad, el procedimiento más usado en la industria de los Estados Unidos se detalla en la norma estándar de la sociedad americana de ingenieros agrícolas y biológicos ASABE 269.4 [10]. Sin embargo, otras normas también son ampliamente utilizadas en diversos estudios [11][12][13].…”