Use of pyrocarbon and biomass in the development of combined fuel briquettes

Abstract

An analysis was performed on the potential integrated use of alternative energy sources for producing fuel briquettes. This includes pyrocarbon generated through low-temperature pyrolysis of industrial and household plastic waste, as well as waste from the woodworking, pulp and paper, and agricultural industries. The process of forming fuel briquettes by cold pressing a mixture consisting of 60– 70 wt.% pyrocarbon and 30–40 wt.% biomass (sawdust, corrugated cardboard, buckwheat, sunflower, wheat) was investigated. The effect of corn starch on the mechanical strength of the fuel briquettes was determined, which is attributed to the formation of inter- and macromolecular hydrogen bonds between the biomass and pyrocarbon components. It was found that the heat of combustion of the developed fuel briquettes is within the range of 4800–5100 Kcal/kg. Based on the results obtained, the effective use of these fuel briquettes in autonomous heating boilers for industrial, administrative, and residential buildings is proposed.