Methods to improve properties of fuel pellets obtained from different biomass sources: Effect of biomass blends and binders

摘要

This study evaluates the effect biomass blending and binder addition on the strength, calorific value (CV), and durability by biomass pellets. Blended biomass materials (0 to 60 wt% additive) and three binders (2 to 6 wt%) (i.e.) recovered polyvinyl alcohol (rPVA); waste cooking oil (WCO) and waste lubricating oil (WLO) were used to make biomass pellets. Ground nut shell (GNS) pellets exhibited the highest CV but lowest strength which was improved by the addition of saw dust (SWD) and Leaf litter waste (LLW) additives. Contrarily, LLW pellets exhibited good strength but the minimum CV which was improved by GNS audition. The LLW biomass contributed as strength improver and GNS served as CV enhancer. The SWD biomass provided both strength and CV to the pellets. In case of binders, a significant increase in the strength of GNS pellets was observed on rPVA addition in comparison to LLW pellets and SWD pellets, whereas WCO and WLO showed a marginal reduction in strength of all the biomass pellets. The rPVA material worked as strength improving binder whereas WCO and WLO were responsible to increase the CV of the pellets.