What is Briquetting?

Briquetting is the process of converting low bulk density biomass into high density and energy concentrated fuel briquettes . (compacting the biomass into dense block )

BRIQUETTE

A briquette (or briquette) is a block of flammable matter which is used as fuel to start and maintain a fire.

Advantages

• Eco friendly & Renewable Energy fuel.
• Economical and cheaper than other solid fuels i.e. coal & wood.
• Higher thermal calorific value around 4000 Kcal/Kg.
• Pollution free because there is no sulphur or any hazardous material.
• Lower ash content 2 to 5%. There is no fly ash when burn.
• Consistent high burning efficiency due to the low moisture.
• Contain high density & Higher Fix Carbon value.
• Easy for Transportation, feeding & combustion due to unique shape.
• Combustion is more uniform compared to other coal.
• Demandable market due to high rise in fossil fuels price.

History of Briquetting

• First biomass briquetting technology developed  - Europe and the    United States.
• Industrial methods of briquetting date back to the second part of the 19th century.
• In 1865, a report was made on a machine used for making  fuel briquettes from peat -  current machines  Screw extrusion briquetting technology was invented and developed in Japan in 1945. As of April 1969, were 638 plants in
• Japan engaged in manufacturing sawdust briquettes, known as 'Ogalite',.
• The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) -  A finance granting agency - has financed many briquetting projects.
• The use of organic fuel-briquettes  - 70’s -  Scandinavia, the USA and Canada.

Biomass Briquetting

• Densification of loose biomass (viz., agricultural and agro-industrial wastes , wood wastes) is called Biomass briquetting.
• Biomass briquettes are a renewable source of energy and avoid adding fossil carbon to the atmosphere.
• It facilitates easy transportation, better handling and storage besides being efficient in use as an alternative fuel to coal and firewood
• 1  t Coal = 1,25 t BriquettesBIOMASS DENSIFICATION

BIOMASS DENSIFICATION

• Flow ability and cohesiveness (lubricants and binders can impart these characteristics for compaction)
• Particle size  (too fine a particle means higher cohesion, causing poor flow)
• Surface forces  (important to agglomeration for strength)
• Adhesiveness
• Hardness