Influence of die pressure on relaxation characteristics of briquetted biomass

Briquetting of biomass has been found to be a viable technology for upgrading biomass materials, including agricultural residues, particularly in developing countries where there is abundant biowaste resources. The technology converts the biowaste into forms which are combustible in typical burners. The physical (elongation and voidage) characteristics and, hence, combustion characteristics of the briquettes formed depend on several factors among which the die pressure is prominent. This was confirmed by experimental investigations during which the samples were densified under die pressure ranges of 20-140 MPa. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.