Use of pine needles for producing high-calorific value bio-briquettes and pine resin for biomass boiler

Abstract

Biomass, ranked as the fourth-largest energy source globally, presents a viable renewable energy option. However, inherent limitations such as low density and calorific value necessitate the development of quality-enhanced biomass, like biomass briquettes, for more efficient energy production. This study focuses on biomass briquette production using pine needles, abundant in the hilly regions of Sri Lanka, as a forestry waste-to-energy concept. The research aims to investigate the physicochemical properties of pine needles char for biomass briquette preparation and utilizing pine resin as a binding agent. Thermal degradation analysis, XRD tests, and physical property assessments were performed on raw materials and briquettes. The objectives include pine resin extraction and analysis of pine needles' properties, optimization of briquette composition to ensure high combustion efficiency and comparison of briquette properties with standards relevant to biomass. Results revealed that pine needle char possesses favorable characteristics for briquetting, with a moisture content of 6.105% and ash content of 4.233%. The 5:1 ratio briquette showed the best performance with a calorific value of 22.19 MJ/kg, a high density of 917.272 kg/m³, and a compression ratio of 3.507. Pine needle briquettes (PNB) were made with different ratio pine needles char and binder using a small-scale hydraulic press (2 tons; 5.5 MPa) with a honeycomb-type mold. The machine's estimated production capacity is 192 briquettes per day. The research results help to create inventive waste management solutions by transforming pine needles into valuable energy sources, benefiting the environment, industries, and self-employed individuals equally.