A Review on Biomass Briquettes as Alternative and Renewable Fuels

Abstract

The adverse effects of the combustion of fossil fuels on humanity and the environment have made it vital to discover eco-friendly, sustainable, and renewable energy alternatives. Globally, there exists loose biomass, which is agricultural and cultural waste that can be utilised to produce briquettes, a type of solid fuel. Briquettes have played a significant role in the energy generation economies of both developing and developed nations. The production of briquettes involves a series of activities, including collection, transportation, storage, processing, and densification of the feedstock to meet predetermined quality parameters. Rice husk, corn stalk, wheat straw, cassava stalk, groundnut shell, olive husk, palm kernel shell and coconut shell are among the feedstocks for briquettes. In order to increase the cohesive strength of the briquettes, binders are incorporated during the densification process. This study aims to investigate the current state of research regarding the utilisation of biomass-derived briquettes as a viable substitute for traditional fuels. To achieve this objective, a comprehensive analysis of recent literature published between 2017 and 2023 is conducted. This study encompasses essential subtopics, including the accessibility of biomass, the selection of binders, the parameters of the briquette process, and the equipment used for briquetting.