A Review of Biomass Briquette Binders and Quality Parameters

Abstract

The adverse effect of the use of fossil fuels on the environment and public health has given rise to a sustained renewable energy research and development. An important component of global renewable energy mix is the use of loose biomass, including agricultural and forestry residues, to produce solid fuels in the form of briquettes. Briquettes play a significant role in bioenergy mix in developing and developed countries. The production of biomass briquettes often entails the collection, transportation, storage, processing, and compaction of loose biomass that meet specific quality parameters. The densification process often involves the addition of binders to improve the cohesive strength of the briquette material. This paper surveys recent literature from 2012 to 2021 to establish the current state of research on the use of binders in briquette production; and reviews current parameters used in assessing the quality of biomass briquettes with focus on mechanical and handling properties. While a number of quality parameters were identified, their assessment methodologies varied widely in the literature, thus necessitating standardization for comparability purposes. The review also includes factors affecting the wide production and adoption of biomass briquettes in most developing economies and proposes ways of overcoming the bottlenecks.

Comparative Analysis of Combustion of Qualified Composite Fuel for the Transitional Period in the Household and Communal Sector in Poland

“…energy crops, wood sawdust, sunflower husks, rice straw, cotton waste, straw from cultivated cereals, and many others, results from the local possibilities of its production [35]. However, it requires appropriate preparation, drying, and fragmentation [36]. The research on the process of briquetting composite fuels available in the literature was carried out mainly in stamp presses with a closed chamber structure.…”

Classification of Briquettes Selection Criteria Using Principal Components Analysis Approach

“…Several studies indicate that briquette energy is useful; however, these studies have mainly relied on giving information on the briquette processing technique [9], awareness [10], machines performance [11], availability of biomass [6], and biomass performance [12] [13] [14]. Moreover, other studies highlight solutions for improving binding materials for briquette making [15], geometrical figures [16], analyzing techno-economics [17], producer workshops [18], and briquette stoves [19].…”

Accessibility and effects of binder types on the physical and energetic properties of ecological coal

“…The wood fuel, due to an increasing demand, consumer item acts as the source of conflict, therefore deserves special attention in the context of its sustainable management and its substitution by briquettes coal ( Tize et al., 2020 ; Kodji et al., 2021 ), especially in an arid Region where the populations are trapped by a vicious circle of poverty ( Madi et al., 2003 ). The inaccessibility of modern energy sources (petroleum products and electricity), the fluctuations in their prices, their irregularities on the markets, the recurrent electricity load shedding, the problem of climate change, and the very worrying desertification, all provide ample justification for focusing on renewable energies that are accessible and very affordable to all ( Zakari et al., 2013 ; Carnaje et al., 2018 ; Djomdi et al., 2021 ; Kodji et al., 2021 and Obi et al., 2022 ). Ecological briquettes have many advantages in reducing household dependence on fossil fuels and stabilizing vegetation cover ( Zakari et al., 2013 and Kodji et al., 2021 ; Obi et al., 2022 ) and it is smokeless, odorless and sparkles ( Sen et al., 2016 ).…”

“…The inaccessibility of modern energy sources (petroleum products and electricity), the fluctuations in their prices, their irregularities on the markets, the recurrent electricity load shedding, the problem of climate change, and the very worrying desertification, all provide ample justification for focusing on renewable energies that are accessible and very affordable to all ( Zakari et al., 2013 ; Carnaje et al., 2018 ; Djomdi et al., 2021 ; Kodji et al., 2021 and Obi et al., 2022 ). Ecological briquettes have many advantages in reducing household dependence on fossil fuels and stabilizing vegetation cover ( Zakari et al., 2013 and Kodji et al., 2021 ; Obi et al., 2022 ) and it is smokeless, odorless and sparkles ( Sen et al., 2016 ). Therefore, briquettes coal must be of good quality in order to guarantee food, health, economic and social security ( Sen et al., 2016 ; Djomdi et al., 2021 ).…”

“…But, when briquettes coal manufacturing formulations are not followed, they lose their quality after subjecting themselves to handling, transportation or storage ( Zakari et al., 2013 ; Hounyevou et al., 2014 ; Dohm et al., 2016 ; Aransiola et al., 2019 and Mousa et al., 2022 ), and this encroaches its adoption by potential consumers ( Mahoro et al., 2022 ). Thus, in the manufacture of briquettes, some physical properties such as density, durability, compressive strength ( Mills, 1908 ; Borowski et al., 2017 ; Aransiola et al., 2019 ; Obi et al., 2022 ), hardness, moisture content ( Nursani et al., 2020 and Picchio et al., 2020 ) and the calorific value should be considered ( Zakari et al., 2013 ). These properties depend on the binders, their ratios and types of biomass residues used for briquettes making.…”