Biomass Briquettes

Why?

 To reduce overdependence on fossil fuels – coal and petroleum

 The conversion efficiencies of loose biomass as low as 40% with particulate emissions in the flue
gases in excess of 3000 mg/ Nm³
 To reduce toxic emissions of hazardous gases, especially carbon dioxide
 To act as an alternative source of energy to firewood for rural areas
 To generate additional income for rural people
 To provide clean energy for local industries in an environmentally sustainable manner

How?

 By turning unused available biomass waste into an environmentally benign source of energy
 Employing substitutes to firewood in small and big scale chulhas that do not cause indoor air
pollution

What?

 Briquettes are compressed biomass material, which can be used for heat/electricity generation
 At present two main high pressure technologies: ram or piston press and screw extrusion
machines, are used for briquetting. While the briquettes produced by a piston press are
completely solid, screw press briquettes on the other hand have a concentric hole which gives
better combustion characteristics due to a larger specific area
 Briquettes can be produced with a density of 1.2 g/cm³ from loose biomass of bulk density 0.1
to 0.2 g / cm³ These can be burnt clean and therefore are eco-friendly
 Made from unused, loose and low density biomass. Briquetted to a bulk density of 650 Kg/cu m
 Potential substitutes to coal and LPG in thermal installations, enhancing utilization efficiency
 Case in point: A project in Kotdwara, Uttarakhand having a capacity of producing 15000 T
briquetted biomass per year leads to an offset of 20,000 T CO2 per year. Additionally, it employs
over 400 people, mostly rural women.

Other Benefits

 Longer burning time than biomass material.

 Environmentally, the use of biomass briquettes produces much fewer greenhouse gases,
specifically, 13.8% to 41.7% CO2 and NOX. There was a reduction from 11.1% to 38.5% SO2
emissions when compared to coal from three different leading producers
 Easier transportation – Compressed briquettes are convenient to handle from a logistical
standpoint.
 Prevention of forest fires.
 Cost reduction for LPG/coal users, as briquettes are less expensive.
 Capable of densifying wood waste and many other agricultural feed stocks containing less than
15% moisture