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Woody biomass is an very important component of contemporary energy policies in many countries. It is mainly used as a raw material for the production of compacted solid biofuels (pellets and briquettes). Biomass, due to the different origin, is characterized by high variability of parameters, which significantly affect the quality of the obtained solid biofuels. Biomass processing technologies also have a significant impact on the final product properties. Therefore, in aglomerated solid biofuel production it is very important to know the impacts of the main factors (material and process) influencing on the granutale parameters. Thanks to this knowledge, it is possible to intensify the influence of the parameters improving the product quality, as well as to eliminate those that are decreasing this quality. Mainly the quality parameters of compacted solid biofuels are connected with a density (bulk, envelope and absolute density, porosity ect.). These parameters are very important from the viewpoint of logistics processes, burning processes, etc. The results of the research were presented, the aim of which was to determine the effect of raw material fragmentation degree (willow and black locust biomass) and agglomeration pressure on the parameters of granulates. The research material was obtained by grinding the willow and black locust biomass on a mill with sieves of hole diameter 8, 6 and 4 mm. Raw material particle size distribution, porosity, envelope and bulk density have been specified. Granulates were made of material with a moisture content of 12 % on the pressing stand by compacting pressure 100, 150 and 200 MPa. Envelope density, compaction degree and index were determined for the granules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Poland, biomass is still considered as the basic source of renewable energy. Energy from biomass accounts for 15 % of global energy consumption, while in developing countries this share is higher. The main advantage of biomass is lower emissions of sulphur dioxide during combustion compared to fossil fuels. The main sources of biomass for production of low-processed solid biofuels, such as bales or chips and high processed pellets or briquettes, are plantations of energy plants. Energy plant species, possible to use as a raw material for the production of biofuels, are plants characterized by a high annual growth, resistance to diseases and pests, small habitat requirements and adaptation to the Polish climatic conditions. The paper presents the physico-chemical properties of coconut shells in terms of their energetic use. The results obtained are: humidity (9.4 %), calorific value (17308.68 J·g-1), low ash content (0.66 %) and volatile content (77.7 %) are comparable to those of biofuels available on the market. The work was also carried out to assess the effect of the shredding degree and the applied agglomeration pressure in the briquetting process on the quality characteristics of the obtained briquettes. For briquetting the raw materials the POR ECOMEC Junior Press was used. Tests were conducted for particulate matter on 8 and 12 mm sieves and for agglomerate pressure of 37 and 47 MPa. The obtained results showed that proper granulation of the raw material and application of appropriate agglomeration pressure improve the qualities of the briquettes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass is one of the oldest renewable energy sources. It is obtained mainly from agricultural production, forestry as waste or residue production. One of the plants that can be used for energetic crops is Cutleaf coneflower Rudbeckia laciniata L. It forms dense clumps. Currently, this plant is quite common in the wild, wet positions, located along watercourses. Effective use of cutleaf coneflower biomass for biofuel production is possible after determining these properties, which significantly affect the course of the different stages of processing. The scope of work included the determination of the following physico-mechanical properties of the shoots: length and diameter (on height of cut at harvest), work of cutting, modulus of elasticity, specific density and calorific value. The obtained results indicate that cutleaf coneflower shoots have the characteristics desired from the point of view of their use for energy purposes (e.g., the heating value at the airdry state 15.2 MJ.kg-1, work of cuts 0.021 J.mm-2, the specific density 348.7 kg.m-3). It was found that the tested plant has properties similar to those of other energy plants (such as Miscanthus giganteus, Virginia mallow). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]