Investigation and comparison of indicators of fodder bean waste and wood pellets

Abstract

Biomass resources can be found in many countries of the world and can become a renewable local source of energy that will replace fossil fuels. The presented paper provides research results of widely used in Lithuania fodder beans growing, harvesting and waste utilization for energy purposes. Fodder bean waste and wood waste (sawdust) pellets were comparatively investigated, and physical-mechanical and thermal properties were determined when plant pellets were burned. Investigations were carried out in the fields and laboratories of the Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Safety, Aleksandras Stulginskis University (ASU) and in the Lithuanian Energy Institute (LEI). Moisture content of fodder bean waste pellets reached 8.67 ± 0.26 %, and pellet density was very high and reached 1311.40±64.67 kg m-3 DM (dry matter). The determined average calorific value was also sufficiently high and reached 17.0±0.3 MJ kg-1. Also, emissions of harmful gases when these fodder bean waste and wood pellets were burned were investigated. All these results are in accordance with the requirements of standard EN 14961-1 normative properties.