Investigation of fibrous plant pellet production and utilization for energy purposes

Abstract

There are presented the research results of technological-technical means and operations for solid biofuel production: chopping, milling, pelleting and burning of fibrous plants: two sorts of seeder hemp (Canabis sativa) – “Fedora 17” and “Futura 75”, and fibrous nettle (Urtica dioica L.). Investigated fibrous plants were grown in the experimental fields of Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Upyte Experimental Station, and in Aleksandras Stulginskis University, Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Safety were investigated the technological-technical means of these plants processing, biofuel pellet production and usage for energy purposes. There were presented research results of fibrous plant chopping and mill preparation quality, in justice of use the hummer milling equipment prepared mill fractional composition, and were determined the produced pellet quality indicators – moisture content and bulk density. The fibrous plant pellet moisture content ranged from 7.8% to 10.2%, and pellet density reached 975–1068 kg m-3 DM (dry matter). Pellet elemental composition, ash content, calorific value and harmful emissions while pellet burning were determined at the Lithuanian Energy Institute. Determined ash content after pellet burning varied from 3.5% to 6.9%; net calorific value of investigated fibrous plant dry mass was relatively high and reached 17.5–17.8 MJ kg-1. After determination of harmful substances (CO, CO2, NOx, CxHy) emissions into the environment while burning of fibrous plant pellet, it was concluded, that the emissions did not exceed the permissible limits and had a minimal harmful impact on the environment.