Densification of Yak Manure Biofuel Pellets and Evaluation of Parameters: Effects on Properties

Abstract

This study was first conducted to comprehensively investigate the potential of yak manure as a raw material to prepare fuel pellets. The effect of different parameters such as binder, pressure, and moisture content on pellet density and diametric compressing strength was investigated using a laboratory single pelleting press unit. Results showed that increasing the pressure can help to obtain high-quality fuel pellets. The pellet properties (density and diametric compressing strength) initially increased and then decreased with moisture content increase. By contrast, binder was not identified to promote density and diametric compressing strength. The parameters were optimized using the response surface method with central composite design to obtain high-quality pellets. In conclusion, the use of yak manure as a raw material to make fuels can be considered a sustainable approach and can effectively be used to fulfill the energy and heating requirements of rural areas.

Assessment of the Characteristics of Corncobs Used for Energy Needs

“…In the cases of our research, pellets of the same moisture produced by a laboratory press were more uniform (mass of pellets about 4 g, diameter of the pressing matrix-20 mm, pressure force of the laboratory press-780 MPa (245 kN)). The optimal density and diametrical compressive strength of yak manure biofuel pellets are 1502.02 kg m −3 and 0.57 kN at 230 MPa pressure, 6% humidity, and 4.5% binder additive [58].…”

Enhancing herbaceous biomass pellets quality by blending with woody biomass and plastic additives, and post-pelletization torrefaction and optimization processes: A review

“…Lower and higher moisture levels lead to challenges in adhesion of biomass particles hence difficulty in densification (Garcia-Maraver, 2015a). According to Liu et al (2022) the amount of moisture in feedstocks from biomass can be adjusted to optimum level by addition of water. Volatile matter and fixed carbon determine the higher heating values for both combustion and densification processes.…”

“…Fossil fuel energy currently dominates world energy supply (Liu et al, 2022), standing at about 80% of the total primary energy supply (GLOBAL BIOENERGY STATISTICS 2022 World Bioenergy Association, 2022) as illustrated by Figure 1. 1a.…”

“…The rapidly increasing advancement in development resulting from ballooning population has pushed energy demand up by greater margins leading to excessive use of oils, gas and coal (Haq et al, 2021;Liu et al, 2022). Consumption of these fuels have detrimental effects on the environment because of the high CO2 emissions that lead to the greenhouse effect Hu et al, 2018;Liu et al, 2022;Pantaleo et al, 2020). Consequently, excessive production and use of these fuels leads to their depletion with time because of their non-renewability nature.…”

“…Consequently, excessive production and use of these fuels leads to their depletion with time because of their non-renewability nature. These challenges have led to shift of focus to research, development and utilization of alternative sources of energy (Ali et al, 2021;Dujmović et al, 2022;Liu et al, 2022;Niedziółka et al, 2015;Picchio et al, 2020a). Biomass being one of them is not yet fully utilized along with solar, wind, geothermal, tidal and hydro (Dujmović et al, 2022;Jeguirim et al, 2019).…”