Lignocellulosic Materials: Characterization and Production of Briquettes

Abstract

According to the environmental and energy global scenario, biomass emerges as a promising source of energy for its availability, low emissions of greenhouse gases and it is a renewable source. However, the disadvantages in the use of biomass as problems with transportation, handling, storage and low calorific values impair its use for energy purposes. Therefore, to improve its use, compression biomass becomes an efficient alternative. Briquetting is a process that changes the biomass to a material having a regular shape, increase the density with a higher calorific value per volume. However, biomass is a heterogeneous material, and its characterization is needed to better understand their properties. The most commonly used tests are: moisture content, density, particle size, proximate analysis, calorific value, extractives content and lignin content. To produce a fuel with greater efficiency and higher value added, it is necessary that the briquette present a high calorific value, high density, low ash content, has good mechanical strength and dimensional stability.