Characterization of fuel properties of agro aquatic residues and assessment of their potential for bio-briquette production

• Main Authors: David, Robin, Shafi, K. A., Baiju, V., Sonu, S.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ashes; Biomass; Biomass burning; Briquets; Briquetting; Bulk density; Calorific value; Densification; Fuels; Moisture content; Raw materials; Residues; Water hyacinths
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0194879

Biomass in its original form with low bulk density causes large transport and storage costs, and therefore, it cannot be used as an effective combustion fuel. Densification of biomass using briquetting technology can resolve the aforementioned issues and enhance the effectiveness of biomass as a combustible fuel. The relevance of using this fuel in thermal conversion processes is growing because it is abundant and under-explored. Hence, examining the fuel characteristics of these resource materials is imperative for their effective utilization in energy generation. The aim of the present work is to assess the suitability of various agricultural and aquatic residues as sources of briquette production by determining their fuel properties. Sixteen types of agricultural and aquatic residues which are abundantly available in Kerala (southwestern coastal state of India) were selected for this investigation. The fuel properties of the selected feedstock materials were determined using proximate analysis, elemental analysis, and heating value testing. The density, moisture content, volatile matter content, ash content percentage, and fixed carbon percentage of the feedstock material were carried out according to different ISO standards. Furthermore, the elemental analysis and the heating value of all the feedstock materials have been determined. Finally, the paper concludes by comprehensively listing all the fuel properties of the feedstock materials investigated in this study. The density of the feedstock materials ranged from 105.92 to 700.10 kg/m3. The fuel properties showed that Water hyacinth leaves, oil palm fruit bunch, saw dust; grass waste, dry leaves, vegetable market waste, and spent tea waste have significant potential for bio-briquette production. Also, from the characterization of the feedstock material, it is evident that rice husk and banana peel have higher ash content (above 20 %). Therefore, they are not appropriate for the production of biomass briquettes. The fuel properties of various agro aquatic residues for briquette production obtained from this study are expected to be of great use to the manufacturers in the briquetting of these feedstock materials.