Alternative Energy: Obtaining Fuel Briquettes from Pyrocarbon of Polymer Waste Thermal Destruction

Abstract

The analysis of the possibilities of using renewable energy sources and biomass in Ukraine for the production of alternative fuel — fuel briquettes has been carried out. It has been shown that Ukraine has large reserves of renewable energy sources and biomass: the energy potential from biomass is 23 million tons of oil equivalent, which is sufficient to replace the total volume of import of gas, coal and gasoline. The calorific value (heat of combustion) of some types of fuel briquettes, fuels and solid household waste has been given. It is noted that different combinations of industrial and household waste can be used to obtain fuel briquettes: woodworking waste, paper waste, corrugated cardboard, shale processing waste, coal dust, etc. This allows both to obtain fuel briquettes with a high calorific value and to improve the environmental condition of the environment. The general method of fuel briquettes manufacturing from alternative solid fuels (corrugated cardboard, wood sawdust) and pyrocarbon, which is obtained during low-temperature pyrolysis of polymer waste, has been given. The technology of cold pressing of the studied charge with subsequent drying of the obtained briquettes to a constant mass has been developed. The process of coagulation of the initial components was carried out at a temperature of 20…25 °С without additional heating of the charge and the introduction of organic or inorganic binders, which would lead to an increase in the price of the finished product or a decrease in the calorie content of the obtained fuel briquettes. The heat of combustion of the developed fuel briquettes of different composition was determined by the calorimetric method. It has been established that the use of a mixture of corrugated cardboard and wood sawdust in the amount of 40…60 % mass. allows obtaining high-calorie fuel briquettes from pyrocarbon. It has been established that the maximum heat of combustion (4715.5 kCal/kg) has fuel briquettes containing pyrocarbon, corrugated cardboard and wood sawdust in a ratio of 6 : 2 : 2. Areas of effective use of the obtained fuel briquettes have been proposed.