Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
  • Publication
    Production of Solid Biofuels From Renewable Resources: A Review
    Increasing concerns over greenhouse gas emissions, volatile fossil fuel prices, and political instability have led to biomass as a renewable energy source. Close cooperation from the government supported by independent bodies also helps produce this effective and sustainable energy source. As a result, the current growth of solid biofuels has increased tremendously. Agricultural, municipal, forest, commercial waste and dedicated energy crops are the main sources of biomass. Due to this biomass's nature, the methods to produce them into solid biofuels are also different. The energy potential of these biomass sources is quite dependent on the use of technology and public awareness. Therefore, this paper review feedstock biomass, processing processes, product types and properties of solid biofuels in terms of mechanical and combustion. The paper also reviews the solid biofuel production situation in Malaysia.
  • Publication
    The Effect of Different Waste Material Binders in Relation to Khaya Senegalensis Solid Fuel Pellet Quality
    Fuel pellets are an attractive renewable energy source derived from biomass sources thanks to their uniformity and ease of handling. However, raw biomass and waste material binders have several drawbacks, which include poor physical properties, particularly low density and compositional heterogeneity, which restrict their wider use as a general source of energy. Besides, due to the low energy density, low bulk density, and uneven shape and size of raw biomass, it is very difficult to store and transport biomass in its original form, which decreases transport efficiency. This study investigated the effect of waste material binders (rice husk, corn cob, and sugarcane bagasse) on the mechanical and thermal properties of Khaya Senagalensis pellets. The mechanical and thermal properties were determined according to ASTM standards. Waste material binders have affected pellet quality such as density, bulk density, moisture content, durability, compressive strength, shatter index, water resistance, ash content, volatile matter, fixed carbon, and calorific value. From the analysis, sugarcane bagasse as a binder shows the highest quality pellet in terms of mechanical properties. Sugarcane bagasse produces the highest density (0.967g/cm3), bulk density (0.4094), durability (99.71%), shatter index (98.85%), water resistance (98.35%), and thermal properties, which are the highest volatile matter (94.71%) and the lowest ash content (1.71%). In a nutshell, sugarcane bagasse is a good binder that gives a positive impact to the K.senegalensis pellets in terms of storage and transportation compared to corn cob and rice husk binder.
  • Publication
    Mechanical and physical properties of khaya senegalensis solid fuel pellet with different binder percentages
    The characteristics of the solid fuel pellets, such as its strength, durability and density can be used to assess its quality. During the transport and storage, pellets with low strength and durability produces dusts and ultimately resulting in equipment blockage, high pollution emissions, and an increased risk of fire and explosion. Therefore, pellet manufacturing process should be given priority to improve pellet quality. The use of binder in the production of pellets will aid in improving pellet quality. Therefore, this study investigates the influence of different binder percentages on the mechanical properties of K. senegelensis fuel pellets. Durability, unit density, bulk density and diametral compressive strength testing were carried out in compliance with international standards. It was discovered that pellets containing 4% cassava starch binder produces better results, particularly in terms of durability and compressive ldiametral strength.
  • Publication
    Optimization of fuel pellet parameter from oil palm fronds by using Response Surface Methodology (RSM)
    ( 2023-06) ; ; ;
    Nadiah Farzana Jamaludin
    ;
    Adli Azimi Abdul Rahman
    ;
    The oil palm tree, which had been producing a plentiful supply of oil palm fronds, had simply been left to rot on the ground. As biomass is a loose substance, pelletization was undertaken so that it could be transported and stored with ease. High-quality pellet production was studied to maximize oil palm frond use. Therefore, the primary goal of this study was to determine the impact of particle size and moisture content on fuel pellet quality. The response surface approach was utilized in this study to optimize the oil palm fronds pellet particle size and the moisture content on the durability, unit density, and calorific value. The particle sizes analyzed were 0.15 mm, 0.500 mm, and 1.00 mm, while the moisture content was 5%, 10.50%, and 16%. The pellets were manufactured using a hydraulic single pellet press, and their calorific value, unit density, and durability were evaluated using a bomb calorimeter, a density formula, and a sieve shaker, respectively. The optimization yielded the maximum desirability (0.5026) for particles with a 16% moisture content and a 0.500 mm particle size. The condition is ideal when the value of desirability is closest to 1.00. It may be concluded that the particle size and moisture content of oil palm fronds affect the durability, unit density, and calorific value of oil palm fronds pellet.
      4  44
  • Publication
    Biomass fuel characteristics of Malaysian Khaya Senegalensis wood-derived energy pellets: effects of densification at varied processing temperatures
    This study addresses the effects of densification at varied pelletization temperatures on the novel Malaysian Khaya senegalensis wood-derived pellets biomass fuel characteristics. The lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the biomass fuel characteristics of this species prompted the research. By addressing this knowledge gap, this study explores the impact of temperature variations on key fuel properties, contributing to the optimization of sustainable biomass fuel production in manufacturing and materials processing. Khaya senegalensis wood, grown and harvested in Malaysia, was pelletized at different temperatures to analyze the calorific value, volatile matter content, ash content, fixed carbon, bulk density, and moisture contents of the pellets. The experimental data revealed a significant relationship between temperature and these fuel properties. Pelletizing at 75 °C produced the highest calorific value of 19.47 MJ/kg and the maximum fixed carbon content of 10.04%. A low ash level of 4.26% was achieved via pelletizing at 75 °C. According to the results, 75 °C produced the best thermophysical properties. These findings provide valuable understanding of how pelletization temperature influences fuel pellet thermophysical properties, a critical aspect in optimizing fuel pellet production, storage, advancing renewable energy resource utilization, and, finally, promoting a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
      1  11
  • Publication
    Cracking the code: process parameter effects on Khaya senegalensis energy pellet moisture content
    The production of energy pellets from biomass sources holds immense potential for sustainable renewable energy generation. This study investigates the influence of key process parameters on the moisture content of energy pellets derived from Khaya senegalensis, a promising biomass feedstock in Malaysia. With a focus on unlocking the relationship between process variables and pellet moisture, a systematic experimental approach was adopted. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of raw material moisture, feedstock particle size, compression pressure, and pelletization temperature on the manufactured biomass energy pellet's moisture content. By employing a comprehensive design of experiments and statistical analysis, the nuanced effects of these parameters are revealed on the moisture content of Khaya senegalensis energy pellets. The results illuminate the complex interplay between these process variables and the final moisture characteristics of the pellets. Understanding how these parameters impact moisture content is crucial for optimizing pellet quality, combustion efficiency, and storage stability. The study found a quadratic relationship between particle size, compression pressure, and pelletization temperature, indicating that larger particle sizes correlate with higher moisture content. Excessive pressure led to elevated levels while increasing temperature showed a decreasing trend. This research contributes valuable insights that advance the knowledge frontier of biomass pelletization, paving the way for enhanced utilization of Khaya senegalensis as a renewable energy resource.
      6  38