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Biomass has been used as a source of primary energy all over the world since ancient times. Yet, today, biomass contributes less than 5% to the total energy supply. Furthermore wood residues are the major contribution to biomass.

Biomass is a renewable energy source with the biggest potential for growth. The heating market is the most important market for the rapid uptake of biomass fuel.

Agricultural wastes are defined as biomass by-product from the agricultural system and include:

• Crop residues that remain in the field after harvest or

• Agricultural residues that are the by-product of the industrial processing of crops.

There are some barriers to using agricultural residues for biomass fuel:

• Availability – need to ensure there is no bottleneck in supply that leads to poor utilisation;

• Competition – an acceptable agricultural residue may already have some other non-fuel use and to direct it towards a source of fuel may create a stimulation of demand that increases price;

• Technical - collecting agricultural residues in an efficient and cost effective manner.

Biomass conversion technologies include:

• Thermo-conversion via high pressure liquefication or fast pyrolysis to obtain a bio-fuel oil and chemicals;

• Oil slurry fuel that is a mixture of oil and finely ground biomass;

• Briquetting that involves the densification of biomass to increase volumetric calorific value;

• Gasification that produces gas by partial combustion of biomass;

• Power generation through decentralised biomass combustion or biomass based co-generation.

Cetec has recently assisted a client in the successful completion of a project involving the development of a biomass briquette. Cetec conducted pilot scale investigations encompassing the selection of suitable raw materials, formulation and additives to enhance physical properties.

Production trials have been completed to show the commercial feasibility of the product. The product is intended for industrial heating uses.

The proof-of-concept of the commercial biomass briquette was achieved in only a couple of months. This project demonstrated the capability of Cetec to help clients move from concept to market in a commercial timeframe.

Contact Cetec here.