A comprehensive review on the technical aspects of biomass briquetting

Abstract

Biomass briquetting is gradually emerging as a means of sustainable energy production. The interest in briquetting has been occasioned by the continuous rise in the cost of energy coupled with the need to harness efficient and affordable alternatives. Briquettes are produced through various means, ranging from a simple low-pressured technique to a high-pressured technique. This, including the large-scale availability of biomass materials in many regions of the world, has made the process practicable and affordable. The technology has gained acceptance across the scientific community as it is a means of attaining a circular and green economy especially as it helps to curtail deforestation. Briquetting has advanced and now incorporates the blending of biomass with animal and municipal wastes such as dung, microalgae, plastics, sludge, and food waste. This paper reviewed recent literature spanning over a decade on the technical aspects of biomass briquetting to establish the current state of research. It contains a brief on renewable energy with a focus on biomass energy, as well as the impact of solid fuels on households and the environment. It reviewed briquettes and briquetting technology by highlighting key processes and quality parameters. The paper also reports the economic aspects of various briquetting technology to assess their viability and also reports the combustion process to evaluate the extent of toxic gas emissions and their impact on coal-based power plants. To this end, an overview of recent studies was made followed by a highlight of recent advancements in briquetting technology.