Production of Binderless Fuel Briquettes from Lignocellulosic Residues of Paulownia, Corn Stalks and Waste Paper Pulp at Low Pressures

The use of biomass energy as a source of renewable energy, in addition to reducing environmental problems and global warming, ensures energy security. Fuel briquettes are solid biofuels that are obtained by simple densification processes and do not require complex physicochemical treatments. In this research, the potential of using lignocellulosic residues such as paulownia, corn stalks, and recycled paper pulp to produce fuel briquettes without binders at low pressures of 9, 18, and 27 MPa, at two temperature levels of 75 and 100 degrees Celsius, was investigated. The results confirmed the feasibility of producing fuel briquettes from these three lignocellulosic materials with appropriate physical and mechanical characteristics. For recycled paper pulp briquettes, higher density and compressive strength were obtained at low pressures, while Paulownia and corn stalks required higher levels of pressure, temperature, and time to achieve desirable density and compressive strength compared to recycled paper pulp.