Valorization of Bio-Briquette Fuel by Using Spent Coffee Ground as an External Additive

Abstract

The present study investigates the quality changes of wood bio-briquette fuel after the addition of spent coffee ground (SCG) into the initial feedstock materials (sawdust, shavings) in different mass ratios (1:1, 1:3). Analysis of SCGs fuel parameter proved great potential for energy generation by a process of direct combustion. Namely, level of calorific value (GCV = 21.58 MJ·kg −1 ), of ash content (Ac = 1.49%) and elementary composition (C = 55.49%, H = 7.07%, N = 2.38%, O = 33.41%) supports such statement. A comparison with results of initial feedstock materials exhibited better results of SCG in case of its calorific value and elementary composition. Bulk density ρ (kg·m −3 ) and mechanical durability DU (%) of bio-briquette samples from initial feedstock materials were following for sawdust: ρ = 1026.39 kg·m −3 , DU = 98.44% and shavings: ρ = 1036.53 kg·m −3 , DU = 96.70%. The level of such mechanical quality indicators changed after the addition of SCG. Specifically, SCG+sawdust mixtures achieved ρ = 1077.49 kg·m −3 and DU = 90.09%, while SCG + shavings mixtures achieved ρ = 899.44 kg·m −3 and DU = 46.50%. The addition of SCG increased wood bio-briquettes energy potential but decreased its mechanical quality. Consequently, the addition of SCG in wood bio-briquette has advantages, but its mass ratio plays an important key role.Energies 2020, 13, 54 2 of 15 economics, politics, and the trade of many developing countries. The coffee production industry, i.e., plant cultivation, cherries harvest, bean processing, product packaging, sale marketing, and final product transportation, offers job opportunities for millions of people [5].Brazil belongs to the top countries in coffee production, as well as Vietnam, Indonesia, and Colombia. Together those countries generate more than 50% of the world's coffee production. Specific statistical data provided by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and by the International Coffee Organization (ICO) related to the coffee industry in the last years are expressed in Table 1.

Spent coffee ground characterization, pelletization test and emissions assessment in the combustion process

“…The pellets have an excellent level of heating value compare to other types of waste and to other biomasses, a fact that emerges from the comparison made by Zuorro and Lavecchia (2012) between SCG and other agricultural and forestry biomass or waste of which they report HHV, such as forest residues with 21.70 MJ/kg and a percentage variation of 3.04% with the HHV value of SCG obtained in this work, rice husks (15.29 MJ/kg, 46.24%), oak wood (18.70 MJ/kg, 19.57%), olive kernel (20.40 MJ/kg, 9.61%) and others 34 . The literature reports high levels of residual oil, which may be partially responsible for the high heating value 35 .The analysis showed decreasing values of HHV and LHV with increases in the percentage of sawdust. The best results were produced by the treatment without sawdust and the treatment consisting of 15% sawdust (Fig.…”

The Impact of Particles Comminution on Mechanical Durability of Wheat Straw Briquettes

“…Although a significant decrease of the mechanical durability index for a larger fraction was observed, the Du values can be considered satisfactory. The research of other authors showed that briquettes made of plant materials should be characterized by the higher mechanical durability index Du, exceeding 80% [42][43][44]. However, these values are not always achieved.…”

A Review of Hot Gas Cleaning Techniques for Hydrogen Chloride Removal from Biomass-Derived Syngas

“…In order to accomplish the requirement for national energy independence and the reduction of fossil fuel consumption, which bring a consequent mitigation of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, the application of renewable resources for chemical and energy substitution is nowadays very important. Among the technologies based on renewable resources, biomass-based plants have huge commercial potential, owing to the great biomass availability, the possibility of reaching negative greenhouse gas emissions, and having greater impacts on and cross-fertilization with other sectors; however, efficient and reliable low emission technologies still have to be developed [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. Biomass gasification is one of the most practicable applications within biomass-based power plants, allowing achieving a high-rate production of fuel gas, with small investment costs [9][10][11][12][13][14].…”