Assessment of the Physical Properties of the Fuel Pellets Formed from Post-Harvest Sage Waste with the Addition of Rye Bran

Abstract

The paper presents the results of studies on the effect of rye bran addition (from 10 to 20%) on the course of the granulation process of post-harvest sage waste and on the quality of the obtained granulate (including its fuel properties). The granulation process was tested on the SS-4 test stand, with a P-300 granulator with a “flat matrix-compacting rollers” working system. The addition of rye bran causes a reduction of the power requirement of the granulator (from 3.75 to 3.19 kW) and a reduction of physical and bulk density, as well as an increase in its kinetic durability. We determined the higher heating value of sage (at 10% moisture content), 19.39 MJ/kg, and the lower heating value, 18.17 MJ/kg, thereby allowing us to state its high energy values. The addition of 20% of rye bran causes a decrease in the higher heating value by 2.07% and the lower heating value by 2.67%.