Characterization of the woody cutting waste briquettes containing absorbed glycerol

The aim of the present work was to evaluate waste-to-energy technology for the utilization of crude glycerol (84.5% purity) surplus, collected by the largest Lithuanian biodiesel plants. The research examined the use of glycerol and woody (timber) cutting waste (WCW) to produce fuel briquettes. Two ratios of glycerol mass share 10% and 20% per unit volume were proposed as a partial substitute for WCW in briquette production process, thus solving glycerol utilization problems present in Lithuania. Proposed volumes of additive are in strong agreement with EN 14961-1. Affirmative proportions for interfusion of input materials, durability rating of fuel briquettes, characterization of combustion regimes and emission characteristics were assessed based on their composition. The optimum fuel properties were demonstrated by WCW briquettes containing maximum 10% glycerol mass concentration. Combustion of such briquettes exposed low CO, SO2 and NOX emission levels, falling under requirements of LAND 43–2001. Further increase in glycerol share is not recommendable, in the larger part due to the decrease in physical-mechanical properties, but not from emission constrains.

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► We examine waste-to-energy technology for the utilization of crude glycerol.
► We examined the use of glycerol and woody cutting waste to produce fuel briquettes.
► Effective combustion of glycerol requires combination with another fuel source.
► Proposed briquettes comply with EN 14961-1 and LAND 43-2001 requirements.