Acta Univ. Agric. Silvic. Mendelianae Brun. 2019, 67(3), 757-762 | DOI: 10.11118/actaun201967030757

Determination of Mechanical and Energetic Properties of Reed Canary Grass Pellets Production

Jiří Souček¹, Algirdas Jasinskas², Fanni Sillinger³, Kornél Szalay³

¹ Research Institute of Agricultural Engineering, p.r.i., Drnovská 507, 161 01, Prague 6, Czech Republic

² Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Safety, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Aleksandras Stulginskis University, Kaunas-Akademija, Studentu str. 15A, LT-53361 Kaunas distr., Lithuania

³ Institute of Agricultural Engineering, National Agricultural Research and Inovation Centre, Tessedik S. u. 4, 2100, Gödölö, Hungary

Authors of the article are evaluating characteristics of half-operational experimental agro-pellets production. The problems of production and use of agro-pellets is the current issue. It's a way to apply part of the agricultural production in the market. It is also an opportunity to replace part of the fossil fuels and increase the share of renewables. But the use of phytomass is bringing many problems. First, it is important that the manufactured products will be succeeded on the raw materials market. Agro-pellets therefore must have characteristics that support their competitiveness and allow their classification. The advantage comes if the agro-pellets properties are comparable with traditional fuels and their combustion is possible in standard boilers. This objective can be achieved in several ways. The production of mixed fuels is one from the possible ways. Phytomass is pressed into pellet form in a mixture with other raw materials, usually based on powder coal or wood. The advantage of mixed fuels production is the ability to influence the final properties according to market demands and requirements of legislation. The research activity results, which are given in the text, were aimed at the possibility of Reed Canary Grass applying as part of a mixed fuel in various concentrations. The pellets are based on Reed Canary Grass and wooden biomass in the form of saw-dust. Addition of sawdust has negative influence on the presser productivity, but has a positive impact on mechanical and burning qualities of final products. Mechanical durability values of pellets were increased by 4.8 and 3.0% with the sawdust addition. The specific weight of pellets was increased even by 31.9%. Hand in hand with the raising amount of sawdust in pellets, the decline of CO emissions in exhaust gas was proven.

Keywords: agropellets, Phalaris arundinacea, bioenergy, biofuels, briquettes, pellets, renewable energy

Grants and funding:

This proceeding originated within the project of long time development of Research Institute of Agricultural Engineering p.r.i. no. RO0619 and was supported by the National Agency of Agricultural Research (NAZV) of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic, Grant. No. QK1820175.

Received: April 12, 2018; Accepted: April 30, 2019; Published: June 27, 2019  Show citation