Evaluation of Mechanical and Energetic Properties of the Forest Residues Shredded Chips during Briquetting Process

Abstract

The briquetting process is one of methods of solid biofuel production. During the briquetting of raw material, it can be noticed that material is viscoelastic, and reflects the effect on the volume and the final effect of the agglomerate during mentioned treatment. The research aimed to evaluate the mechanical and energetic properties of shredded pine forest residues during the briquetting process. The shredded fragments of the forest residues were compacted by the principal stresses with determination of the energy value consumed during the briquetting process. Tests were carried out using a specially designed compacting tube, with additional equipment directly mounted on the testing machine. The compaction process was carried out using the presented material and through continuous monitoring of the process parameters. During the study, it was estimated that the moisture content of the compacted material should be equal from 10 to 15%. The calculated average value of the unit energy consumption during the briquetting process (WB) was equal to 0.14 MJ·kg−1. In future research, the mathematical model can serve as an algorithm in a computer program in order to calculate the flow of biomass in the extrusion process.