Quality Improvement and Cost Evaluation of Pellet Fuel Produced from Pruned Fruit Tree Branches

Yining Li, Kang Kang and Wei Wang
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Yining Li: School of Mechanical Engineering, Shaanxi Polytechnic Institute, Xianyang 712000, China
Kang Kang: Institute for Chemicals and Fuels from Alternative Resources (ICFAR), Western University, London, ON N0M 2A0, Canada
Wei Wang: Xianyang Key Laboratory of New Power and Intelligent Microgrid System, Xianyang 712000, China

Energies, 2021, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-21

Abstract: Biomass-based pellet is an important source of renewable energy. In this study, to obtain the high-quality fuel pellet via the densification of pruned branches of fruit trees, we investigated the optimization of blending ratios for different raw materials using branches from jujube ( Ziziphus jujuba Mill.), which is a widely distributed waste biomass resource in China. Through the characterization of raw materials and pellets, the effects of different raw materials on the storage, transportation, and combustion performances of the pellets can be understood. The cost evaluation analysis showed that the two optimized, co-densified pellets had great cost advantages compared with the pure jujube branch pellets. This indicates the potential industrial value of optimized pellets. The results of this study can help to improve the application value of orchard residues and generate an additional profit for fruit plantations, simultaneously avoiding the environmental damage caused by its open combustion.

Keywords: orchard residues; densification; formula parameters; biomass; bioenergy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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