Development of Biomass Briquetting Technology for Northern Regions of Karnataka Using Tamarind Seed Powder as Binder: Exploring the Potential of Biomass Briquetting Technology in Northern Regions of Karnataka

Abstract

It is generally acknowledged that burning fossil fuels and deforestation are major contributors to anthropogenic climate change. Biomass from plants can serve as an alternative renewable and carbon-neutral raw material for the production of energy. Low densities of 80–150 kg/m3 for herbaceous and 150–200 kg/m3 for woody biomass limit their application in energy production. Prior to cost-effective use in energy applications, these materials need to be densified to increase their bulk densities to help reduce technical limitations associated with storage, loading, and transportation. Pelleting, briquetting, or extrusion processing are methods commonly used to achieve densification. The aim of the present report is to apprise the possibility of subjecting agro-residues to briquetting technology for the region of study i.e. Northern Regions of Karnataka by making different combinations of biomass ( easily available in abundant quantity at cheaper rate that has relatively higher calorific value - coconut shells, groundnut shells and saw dust) in definite proportions and proposing the best combination after calculating CV, % of ash content and also calculating the density of all the combinations.