Abstract

CARRILO-PARRA, Artemio et al. Weathering and process effects on physical, mechanical and energy characteristics of briquettes. Rev. mex. de cienc. forestales [online]. 2018, vol.9, n.50, pp.496-513. ISSN 2007-1132.  https://doi.org/10.29298/rmcf.v9i50.239.

Forest industries produce sawdust waste that is not used and which may accumulate for years, becoming a risk of fire and a potential source of pollution. The main objectives of this study were to compare the energy properties between fresh sawdust and weathered sawdust from Pinus pseudostrobus wood and determine the physical and mechanical properties of briquettes made from both types of sawdust. The sawdust was characterized according to the particle size distribution, moisture content, volatile material, ash, and fixed carbon, in accordance with European standards UNE-EN14774-3 and UNE-EN14775. The briquettes were produced in a laboratory machine (LIPPEL) at pressures of 10-15 MPa and temperatures of 50, 70 and 90 °C. The quality of the briquettes was determined by proximal analysis, and by their physical and mechanical properties. The mean values and standard errors were calculated for all the variables of each type of sawdust, pressure and temperature. Data were statistically analyzed as a randomized complete block, and variance analyses were conducted to determine the existence of statistical differences (p< 0.05) between treatments. When statistical differences were found, Tukey tests were performed. The weathered sawdust showed the best energy properties, as it exhibited the lowest moisture content (9.12 %) and the highest fixed carbon (13.84 %); however, it had the highest percentage of ash (0.84 %). The briquettes with the best quality were obtained by using fresh sawdust at a pressure of 15 MPa and a temperature of 70 °C.

Keywords : Weathering sawdust; solid biofuels; ash content; density; higher heating value; Pinus pseudostrobus Lindl.

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