Split-Mold Testing for Biomass Fuel Briquettes

Split-Molds for Biomass Fuel Briquettes can increase the production rate by allowing the mold to be unloaded off the press and can reduce the briquette removal stress. In addition, the split-mold can be built using simple hand tools such as a hacksaw, a hand wood saw and a hand drill. Split-molds work equally well for molds using either drilled holes or slotted openings. Additional biomass briquette press information here http://home.fuse.net/engineering/ewb_project.htm Also see EWBGCP Chapter http://www.ewbgcp.org/

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Split Mold
• Testing
• Biomass
• Fuel Briquette
• Production Rate

[aaronfu2]

All slurry that I have used and encountered has a better consistency with a larger amount of paper pulp than organic pulp! Around 70% Paper 30% Organic! I think you will get much better results with this mixture ratio and with 1/8" to 3/16" holes or slots! Too Big Is No Good! I'm not sayin' I'm Just Sayin"!

[LeeHiteVideo]

Yes, paper pulp makes a great binder but doesn't burn well. We try to use just enough paper to accomplish binding but not deter burning or ignition. Agree, the 1/8" holes work great and allow easy release of the briquette from the mold.

[swahili77]

In the longer form, when you unpack the briquettes, it is obvious that a couple of separators have been inserted. This was not shown when the slurry was added. Can one just pour in one scoop of slurry, put in a separator, pour in more slurry ... or does on have to push down the slurry in connection with each separator?

Are leaf briquettes as good fuel as sawdust, pound for pound?

[LeeHiteVideo]

Good question: I did not show a few steps in an effort to keep the video short. Yes, you can just pour in one scoop of slurry, put in a separator, pour in more slurry, most of the time. Make sure the slurry has enough water to flow well.

We tested briquettes made from 80% sawdust & 20% paper pulp, and briquettes from 80% leaves & 20% paper pulp. The sawdust burned longer, produced more BTU, and were more tightly packed than the leaves. The leaves were harder to ignite in the beginning.

[swahili77]

@LeeHiteVideo "more tightly packed ... more BTUs "

so that leaves producing less BTU might be just a question of harder to pack, so lighter briquettes or it might be even less BTUs/kg  (Joules/kg , BTUs/oz ? :-) )

[LeeHiteVideo]

Yes, absolutely. Actually, when you measure the weight of each briquette and compare the BTU to briquette weight, there is very little difference among many of the formulations. There was a difference in ease of ignition and length of burn but the actual BTU didn't vary all that much. Leaves should work just fine.

[LeeHiteVideo]

Yes, absolutely. Actually, when you measure the weight of each briquette and compare the BTU to briquette weight, there is very little difference among many of the formulations. There was a difference in ease of ignition and length of burn but the actual BTU didn't vary all that much. Leaves should work just fine.

[dmacosta1]

nice test