Characterization of Solid Biomass Fuel Briquettes

The objective of this final year project is to characterize solid biomass fuel briquettes. The research involves conducting several analysis; proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, combustion test, calorific value determination, and burning temperature profile investigation. From these analyses and tests, the materials are characterized and discussed.
Energy demand keeps on increasing day by day. Demand of electricity is usually met by power generation plants that use fossil fuel to generate heat. Current consumption of non-renewable energy from fossil fuel is very high, thus alternative source of energy, renewable energy should be considered. Since Malaysia is one of the largest producers of oil palm in the world, the waste of the production should be huge too. Thus, oil palm mill residue is selected to be material of interest here. This renewable energy source is a good alternative to generate electricity by using it as fuel. Since most biomass materials are in loose form, random shapes, and not really efficient to be used as fuel directly from their raw states, briquetting them is one of the good moves in order for them to be used in controlled manner. Prior to briquetting, materials would be dried to a desired level of moisture content, unmixed or mixed with other materials for better properties, and compressed into regular shapes. This uniform shape would be beneficial in terms combustion characteristics as they would give controlled manner in terms of combustion rate, energy content and precise operation for plants usage.