Valorization of fuel pellets using sawdust from 23 Mexican species
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54167/tch.v19i1.1829Keywords:
pine wood, heartwoods, densified biofuels, residual biomass, bioenergyAbstract
Environmental deterioration has been observed due to economic growth linked to the global consumption of fossil fuels. However, research has also focused on developing alternative biofuels to reduce fossil energy consumption. In this context, lignocellulosic biomass plays a crucial role as a renewable energy in producing densified solid biofuels, promoting reduced dependence on fossil fuels, and supporting cleaner energy initiatives. In the current study, fuel pellets were made using 23 samples of sawdust collected from various forest mills across five states in Mexico. A physical, mechanical and energetic assessment of the obtained pellets was conducted, revealing significant statistical differences in the evaluations. The most notable results were as follows: moisture content ranged from 2.69 to 8.73 %; particle density varied from 1.08 to 1.32 g/cm3; bulk density was found to be between 532 and 668 kg/m3; impact strength index ranged from 100 to 250 %, compressive strength values varied from 178 to 1542 N/mm; calorific value was between 15.42 and 20.85 MJ/kg; and energy density ranged from 9.32 to 13.07 GJ/m3). Based on the physical, mechanical and energetic evaluations, the pellets produced from the diverse sawdust samples appear suitable for local residential or industrial use.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54167/tch.v19i1.1829
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