Utilization of Biowaste for Sustainable Production of Coal Briquettes

Amad Ullah Khan, Qazi Muhammad Usman Jan, Muhammad Abas (), Khan Muhammad, Qazi Muhammad Ali and Dominik Zimon ()
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Amad Ullah Khan: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
Qazi Muhammad Usman Jan: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
Muhammad Abas: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
Khan Muhammad: Department of Mining Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
Qazi Muhammad Ali: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
Dominik Zimon: Department of Management Systems and Logistics, Rzeszow University of Technology, Powstańców Warszawy 10 St., 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 20, 1-16

Abstract: In energy scarcity, particularly in Agri-based developing economies, bio-coal briquetting is the most suitable means of meeting sustainable energy needs utilizing agricultural waste. In this study, briquettes were made from an indigenously designed briquetting machine for investigating coal–biomass proportion blend using coal from Dara Adam Khel, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan, and pomegranate/olive waste to analyze their resulting calorific value, strength, and geochemical properties. A central composite design (CCD) and response surface methodology (RSM) were employed to design the experiments and analyze the data. Regression models were developed for each biomass type, demonstrating their adequacy and reliability for further analysis and prediction. Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) analysis provided insights into the elemental composition of the coal briquettes. Mechanical analysis was performed to assess the strength of the briquettes, with varying compositions showing different levels of strength. Optimization using a composite desirability function yielded an optimal calorific value of 6728 kJ/kg. In summary, this study underscores the viability of bio-coal briquetting as a transformative solution to alleviate energy scarcity. Repurposing agricultural waste curtails resource depletion while mitigating waste disposal challenges. The optimized calorific value aligns with eco-friendly energy initiatives, advancing a greener path toward energy security.

Keywords: sustainable energy; coal briquettes; sustainable production (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: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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