Characterisation and quality improvement of binder free bio-pellets from the sugar industry residues and grass jelly food wastes for energy purposes

Main Article Content

Yuvarat Ngernyen
Thirasima Muangchang
Atitanan Wattanaporntanapong
Karatika Ngamlamyong
Apichart Artnaseaw
Nontipa Supanchaiyamat
Pawinee Klangtakai
Andrew J. Hunt

Abstract

Torrefied pelletised biomass wastes can be a sustainable and efficient solid fuel; however, the addition of binders is frequently required to improve the consistency, durability and overall quality of the pellets. Such additional processes can increase production costs, reduce stability on exposure to moisture, increase ash content and may reduce the heating value of the fuel. Therefore, the production of durable binder free bio-pellets would create a sustainable and economically viable route for producing these solid fuels. Herein, the binder free pelletisation of waste sugarcane leaves and/or grass jelly leaves/stalks from the agricultural industry was investigated for use as bio-based solid fuels. Importantly, the resulting pellets had a diameter, length, moisture content, unit density, bulk density, calorific value and durability that met the international standards (DIN 51731, SS 187120 and CEN/TS 14961) and Thailand standard (TIS 2772–2560).  However, the ash content for grass jelly leaves/stalks pellets was 16%, while the blended pellets of 50:50 sugarcane:glass jelly was 7%, both of which were higher than that required by the Thailand standard. The calorific value of the pellets was improved via a torrefaction process at 200 – 300oC for between 15 – 60 min. Yields of pellets dropped with increasing temperature and residence time, while the calorific value increases as the torrefaction severity increases from 16,630 – 26,334 kJ/kg. Crucially, this is the first reported pelletisation and torrefaction of sugarcane leave, grass jelly leaves/stalks or a 50:50 blend of these wastes to yield bio-based fuels with calorific values comparable to coal-like fuel pellets. Moreover, the mechanical strength of obtained pellets was still maintained without the use of an additional binder, thus reducing additional processing steps and potential cost. The optimal operating conditions for torrefaction were 250°C for 30 min, resulting in the greatest integrity, calorific value, enhancement factor and energy yield.

Article Details

How to Cite
Ngernyen, Y., Muangchang, T. ., Wattanaporntanapong, A. ., Ngamlamyong, K. ., Artnaseaw, A., Supanchaiyamat, N., Klangtakai, P., & Hunt, A. J. . (2025). Characterisation and quality improvement of binder free bio-pellets from the sugar industry residues and grass jelly food wastes for energy purposes. Engineering and Applied Science Research, 52(4), 393–405. retrieved from https://ph01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/easr/article/view/260873
Section
ORIGINAL RESEARCH

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