Analysis of briquettes' production process from different biomass materials

Bc. Radek Novotný

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Biomass is a significant source of energy and it is abundant with high potential. Fossil fuels participate on energy production in largest percentage. Fossil fuels are non-renewable energy source and therefore it is necessary to use renewable energy sources as biomass solid fuels.The Diploma thesis deals with the study of grinding and briquetting processes. For the experiment were used various types of materials such as Hemp, Miscanthus sinensis, Miscanthus x gigantheus and Apple wood. These materials were dried, grinded and pressed by piston press with diameter of 65 mm. Materials were grinded into three fractions (4 mm, 8 mm and 12 mm). Material throughput (kg.h-1) and energy consumption (kWh.t-1) were determined in the present research. The research showed that the highest throughput was detected for apple wood material, in both cases grinding as well as briquetting; however, energy consumption during production of briquettes from apple wood is relatively high. The worst results concerning throughput and energy consumption (especially within briquetting) were found for hemp material. Both Mis. sinensis and Mis. X gigantheus species have very similar requirements. Herbaceous biomass like Mis. sinensis and Mis. x gigantheus had quite good total relation between throughput and energy consumption for selected types of used machines. The most quality briquettes due to mechanical durability are briquettes made of hemp, probably thanks to fibre biomass character.

Keywords

piston press, briquettes, input material, energy consumption, throughput

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 27. 4. 2017

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Ing. Tatiana Ivanova, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Master programme / field:
Tropical Agriculture / Sustainable Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics