In this work, the production viability, physical, chemical and mechanical properties of briquettes produced from mixtures of coffee shrub residues and pinewood, were evaluated. The densification was carried out under constant operating conditions (temperature of 120 °C, pressure of 8.27 MPa) in a piston-press type laboratory-scale briquetting machine. Coffee shrub residues were mixed with pinewood in ratios of 25%, 50% and 75%. In addition, reference briquettes of pure pinewood and of each type of coffee shrub residue were produced. To characterize the raw material, ash content, volatile matter, fixed carbon together with the calorific value of produced samples, were measured. To characterize the suitability of the briquettes produced: apparent density, energy density, tensile strength, and equilibrium moisture content were determined. The highest values of energy density (19133–19899 MJ m−3), tensile strength (415–569 kgf), apparent density (1107–1163 kg m−3) and favorable values of equilibrium moisture content (9–11 wt %) were obtained from a mixing ratio of 75% of pinewood. The novel contribution of this research was to develop briquettes with appropriate physical and mechanical parameters from new raw materials that could serve as sustainable fuel sources for local firing systems.

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Production and characterization of coffee-pine wood residue briquettes as an alternative fuel for local firing systems in Brazil

The reserves of non-renewable energy sources such as coal, crude oil and natural gas are not limitless, they gradually get exhausted and their price continually increases. In the last four decades, researchers have been focusing on alternate fuel resources to meet the ever increasing energy demand and to avoid dependence on crude oil. Amongst different sources of renewable energy, biomass residues hold special promise due to their inherent capability to store solar energy and amenability to subsequent conversion to convenient solid, liquid and gaseous fuels. At present, among the coconut farm wastes such as husks, shell, coir dust and coconut leaves, the latter is considered the most grossly under-utilized by in situ burning in the coconut farm as means of disposal. In order to utilize dried coconut leaves and to improve its biomass properties, this research attempts to produce solid fuel by torrefaction using dried coconut leaves for use as alternative source of energy. Torrefaction is a thermal method for the conversion of biomass operating in the low temperature range of 200 o C-300 o C under atmospheric conditions in absence of oxygen. Dried coconut leaves were torrefied at different feedstock conditions. The key torrefaction products were collected and analyzed. Physical and combustion characteristics of both torrefied and untorrefied biomass were investigated. Torrefaction of dried coconut leaves significantly improved the heating value compared to that of the untreated biomass.  Proximate compositions of the torrefied biomass also improved and were comparable to coal. The distribution of the products of torrefaction depends highly on the process conditions such as torrefaction temperature and residence time. Physical and combustion characteristics of torrefied biomass were superior making it more suitable for fuel applications. Article History : Received June 24 th 2016; Received in revised form August 16 th 2016; Accepted 27 th 2016; Available online How to Cite This Article : Pestano, L.D.B. and Jose, W.I. (2016) Production of Solid Fuel by Torrefaction Using Coconut Leaves As Renewable Biomass. Int. Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 5(3), 187-197. http://dx.doi.org/10.14710/ijred.5.3.187-197

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Production of Solid Fuel by Torrefaction Using Coconut Leaves As Renewable Biomass

Eucalyptus short-rotation coppice for solid fuel production

Residual biomass from guava (Psidium guajava L.), a common and widespread fruit tree native to Latin America, has been analyzed in the present research in order to determine the biomass quality and its potential use for energy purposes. Obtained biomass was grinded and compacted into the form of fuel briquettes. Determinations of solid biofuel parameters, i.e., physical, mechanical and chemical properties such as calorific value, moisture, ash content, volatile matter, mechanical durability, contents of the main chemical elements and heavy metals were performed according to international standards. As a result, not inconsiderable traces of heavy metals were found, with a concentration of zinc 4.57 mg kg−1 as the highest. Guava’s moisture content (9.8%) comfortably fulfilled the minimum standard requirements and the net calorific value as received (17.11 MJ kg−1) met the average value of a wood. However, measured sulphur content (0.063%) as well as ash content (3.74%) exceeded the maximum allowed limits for the graded wood briquettes and, therefore, guava wood briquettes should be rather categorized as non-woody A class briquettes. The results of the study can contribute significantly to the knowledge of guava wood properties and its potential as renewable solid fuel since there is little published data about it.

https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/9/10/613/pdf

Assessment of Guava (Psidium Guajava L.) Wood Biomass for Briquettes’ Production

The paper presents the results of laboratory tests aimed at the study of storage place, storage manner and storage time in relation to mechanical properties of briquettes made from spruce shavings. A BrikStar 50 briquetting press with a pressure chamber 65 mm in diameter of the Briklis firm was used for the briquette production. All bri - quettes were made at the constant adjustment of all parameters of the briquetting press. The briquette properties were evaluated by determination of their density and rupture force. Moreover, mechanical durability, gross calorific value, total mois ture and ash content were determined. It follows from the results of tests that at briquette storage in a well closed plastic bag neither place nor storage time influenced significantly their life time. At briquette storage in a net plastic bag various intensive damage to briquettes occurred, mainly depending on their storage place and storage time.

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Study of briquette properties at their long-time storage.

Brožek M., Novakova A., Kolařova M. , 2012. Quality evaluation of briquettes made from wood waste . Res. Agr. Eng., 58: 30–35. At logging and at the subsequent wood and wood semi-products treatment the fine grained loose waste arises, e.g. wood dust, saw dust, shavings, chips, bark etc. One of possibilities of its meaningful utilization is the briquetting technology, products of which are briquettes determined for energetic utilization (combustion). In the paper the experimental results are published. The briquettes quality evaluation was their aim. For the briquetting tests bark (pine), shavings (about 90% spruce + 10% pine), sawdust (spruce), birch chips and poplar chips were used. The basic physical-mechanical proper ties were the evaluation criteria. Following properties were determined: gross calorific value, total moisture content, density, rupture force, length, diameter, density and mechanical durability.

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Quality evaluation of briquettes made from wood waste

Simple Summary Carbamazepine is an active compound in commonly used drugs for the treatment of epilepsy and other diseases. It is a very stable substance that remains in the environment, especially in waste water, but also in surface water. Because of this, it can pose a potential risk to both animals and humans. Although its effect in therapeutic doses has been described, the effects of low doses on the environment are unknown. We were interested in whether the consumption of food contaminated with carbamazepine can cause certain changes in behaviour and whether it simultaneously affects gene expression in higher vertebrates. The laboratory rats served as model organisms. The animals were divided into three groups, where one group orally received a high therapeutic dose of carbamazepine, the second received a low environmental dose, and the third control group received a solution without carbamazepine. The results of behavioural testing, which focused on cognitive abilities, anxiety-like behaviour, and social behaviour, did not reveal any changes; however, the expression of a certain gene on the brain of rats was affected by carbamazepine. Abstract Carbamazepine (CBZ), an effective drug for epilepsy and other neurological diseases, and its metabolites are one of the most frequently detected substances in the aquatic environment. Although these are doses of very low concentrations, chronic exposure to them can affect the physiological processes of living organisms. This experiment may clarify if carbamazepine, under an environmental and a therapeutic concentration, can affect the behaviour of higher vertebrates, especially mammals, and gene expressions of Ugt1a6 and Ugt1a7 in the brain compared to the control group without exposure to CBZ. Three groups of thirteen rats were randomly formed, and each group was treated either with carbamazepine 12 mg/kg (therapeutic), carbamazepine 0.1 mg/kg (environmental), or by 10% DMSO solution (control). The memory, anxiety, and social behaviour of the rats were assessed by the test Elevated Plus Maze, the novel object recognition test, and the social chamber paradigm. After testing, they were euthanised and brain tissue samples were collected and analysed for mRNA expression of Ugt1a6 and Ugt1a7 genes. The tests did not show significant differences in the behaviour of the rats between the groups. However, there were significant changes at the gene expression level of Ugt1a7.

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M. Kolářová

Papers

Quality evaluation of briquettes made from wood waste

Effect of Environmental Concentration of Carbamazepine on the Behaviour and Gene Expression of Laboratory Rats