Biomass Briquette Manufacturing: A Guide for the Production of Biomass Briquettes
Biomass briquettes are suitable for use as a fuel since they are produced out of renewable resources. With fossil fuels diminishing, and electricity becoming expensive, biomass briquettes play the role of an efficient and economical source of heat and cooking. Instead, in this detailed tutorial, I will explain to you the main principles of making biomass briquettes at home as well as key points to consider.
Gather Your Biomass Materials
The first process involves gathering your biomass resources including; woody biomass, agricultural residues, rice husks, bagasse, sawdust, or wood chips. Different types of raw biomass available to you will determine the quality and the burning duration of your briquettes. Sand and gravel which are preferred by experienced contractors are relatively difficult to find and compact compared to other materials such as sawdust or wood chips.
Pre-treat the Biomass
However, before compaction of the raw biomass, it has to undergo pre-treatment, because the resulting mass has to have parameters of consolidation after pressing. Some of the typical pre-treatment techniques include; drying, milling, and torrefaction among others. This consists of lowering the humidity levels in the biomass, reducing the particle size to a fine powder, and lightly cooking the biomass through torrefaction. Cooperating with pre-treating enhances your materials for briquette production.
Compact the Biomass
After your biomass gets through the pre-treatments then the next phase, that is the compacting phase, begins. Compacting stabilizes the form of the loose biomass particles and increases the density and ignition ease of the briquettes. The two main methods for compacting are:
- Piston presses: Applies hydraulic piston force to press the biomass pellets in a mold. Ideal for small-scale production but calls for use of electricity.
2. Screw extruders: Uses pressure and heat of a screw auger system to force biomass through it. Suitable for industrial production and does not require the use of binders.
It is also possible to include some of the binders including starch and clay or even lignin to ensure that the briquettes are strongly cohesive.
Dry and Cure the Briquettes
When you compact your briquettes there is still some moisture in them as is evident in the following figure. Reducing them to less than 10% moisture content is crucial for perfect curing, ignition capability, and burn effectiveness. But you can arrange for them to be exposed to direct sunlight to dry for 1–2 weeks or use mechanical driers. The curing provides the briquettes a time to harden up their formation before use.
Store in a Dry Space
Your biomass briquettes should be stored in a dry area after they have been dried and cured to prevent moisture from accumulating, and infection from pests and contaminants. This will equally help in the preservation of the product by avoiding premature deterioration or spoilt. Most homemade briquettes can last for well over a year depending on the type of storage the individuals plan to apply.
Biomass briquettes used as a fuel can be produced but it seems to require a lot of time and some equipment. Using the above-informed key steps will prepare you well when preparing the renewable biomass fuel briquettes on your own.
Conclusion
Due to increasing fuel prices to providers as well as increasing concern about the environmental impacts of using fossil fuel for heating and cooking, biomass fuels such as biomass briquettes become a more viable option. Its use of waste biomass also in making briquettes serves to cut landfill loads. This guide provides the basics you will require to get great quality briquettes at home to be efficient biomass energy at home.
