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Energy
EnergyProcedia 138
Procedia 00(2017)
(2017)1147–1152
000–000
www.elsevier.com/locate/procedia

2017 International Conference on Alternative Energy in Developing Countries and Emerging Economies
2017 International Conference on Alternative Energy in Developing Countries and Emerging Economies
2017 AEDCEE, 25‐26 May 2017, Bangkok, Thailand
2017 AEDCEE, 25‐26 May 2017, Bangkok, Thailand

Influences
Influences of
of Mixing
The 15th Mixing Ratios
Ratios
International and
and Binder
Symposium Binder Types
Heatingon
Types
on District onandProperties
Properties
Cooling of
of
Biomass Pellets
Biomass Pellets
Assessing the feasibilitya of using the heat demand-outdoor
Jindaporn Jamradloedluk a* and Charoenporn Lertsatitthanakornb
b
temperature function
Jindaporn for a long-term
Jamradloedluk district
* and Charoenporn heat demand forecast
Lertsatitthanakorn
a
Post-Harvest and Agricultural Machinery Engineering Research Unit, Faculty of Engineering, Mahasarakham University, Khamriang,
a
Post-Harvest and Agricultural Machinery Engineering Research Unit, Faculty of Engineering, Mahasarakham University, Khamriang,
a,b,c aKantarawichai, Mahasarakham
a 44150,b Thailand c c
b I. Andrić *, A. Pina , P. Ferrão , J. Fournier ., B. Lacarrière , O. Le Corre
Kantarawichai, Mahasarakham 44150, Thailand
School of Energy, Environment and Materials, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, 126 Pracha Uthit Rd., Bang Mod,
b
School of Energy, Environment and Materials, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, 126 Pracha Uthit Rd., Bang Mod,
a Thung Khru, Bangkok 10140, Thailand
IN+ Center for Innovation, Technology and Policy Research
Thung - Instituto10140,
Khru, Bangkok Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
Thailand
b
Veolia Recherche & Innovation, 291 Avenue Dreyfous Daniel, 78520 Limay, France
c
Département Systèmes Énergétiques et Environnement - IMT Atlantique, 4 rue Alfred Kastler, 44300 Nantes, France

Abstract
Abstract
Barks and fruit peels usually considered residues are not seriously applied for any specific purpose. To add value to such agricultural
Abstract
Barks and fruit peels usually considered residues are not seriously applied for any specific purpose. To add value to such agricultural
wastes by using them as alternative solid fuels for thermo-chemical process are of interest. This research work aims at preparing
wastes by using them as alternative solid fuels for thermo-chemical process are of interest. This research work aims at preparing
biomass
District pellets
heatingfrom bark (eucalyptus),
networks are commonly fruitaddressed
shell (mangosteen) and fruit
in the literature as peel (papaya)
one of the mostusing different
effective binders for
solutions (dammar, Persea
decreasing the
biomass pellets from bark (eucalyptus), fruit shell (mangosteen) and fruit peel (papaya) using different binders (dammar, Persea
kurzii kosterm
greenhouse powder, and cashew nut shell liquid). Influences of mass mixing ratio of eucalyptus bark: mangosteen shell: papaya
kurzii kostermgas emissions
powder, and from
cashew thenutbuilding sector.Influences
shell liquid). These systems require
of mass mixinghigh investments
ratio which
of eucalyptus aremangosteen
bark: returned through the heat
shell: papaya
peel (1:1:1,
sales. Due 2:1:1,
to the1:2:1, and 1:1:2)
changed climateand binder onand
conditions properties
building of renovation
the biomass pellets were heat investigated. The future
prepared pellets were
peel (1:1:1, 2:1:1, 1:2:1, and 1:1:2) and binder on properties of the biomasspolicies,
pellets were demand in the
investigated. The prepared could decrease,
pellets were
also used as the
prolonging a fuel for the combustion
investment return process. The study results indicated that using cashew nut shell liquid as a binder provided
period.
also used as a fuel for the combustion process. The study results indicated that using cashew nut shell liquid as a binder provided
the
Thefuel pellets
main scope with rather
of this short
paper is and non-uniform
to assess length of
the feasibility while
usingusing dammar
the heat as a –binder
demand provided
outdoor the pellets
temperature withfor
function fissures on the
heat demand
the fuel pellets with rather short and non-uniform length while using dammar as a binder provided the pellets with fissures on the
surface. Using
forecast.Using the
The the binder
district of Persea
ofofAlvalade, kurzii kosterm
located powder
in Lisbon gave the pellets with significantly more uniform size, smoother surface,
surface. binder Persea kurzii kosterm powder(Portugal), was used
gave the pellets with as a case study.
significantly moreThe district
uniform size,issmoother
consistedsurface,
of 665
and higherthat
buildings density
varycompared to using other
in both construction binders
period and ) p<0.05).
typology.The pellets
Three prepared
weather using cashew
scenarios nut shellhigh)
(low, medium, liquid as athree
binder had
and higher density compared to using other binders ) p<0.05). The pellets prepared using cashew nut shell liquidand as a binderdistrict
had
the inferior mechanical
renovation scenarios properties
were (i.e., maximum
developed (shallow, force, maximum
intermediate, stress
deep). Toand yield strength)
estimate the to obtained
error, those prepared
heat using other
demand binders
values were
the inferior mechanical properties (i.e., maximum force, maximum stress and yield strength) to those prepared using other binders
)p<0.05).
comparedHowever,
with results mixing
fromratio had no heat
a dynamic obvious influence
demand model, onpreviously
density and mechanical
developed andproperties
validated ofbythe
thepellets.
authors.Binder types of the
)p<0.05). However, mixing ratio had no obvious influence on density and mechanical properties of the pellets. Binder types of the
pellet fuels
The results had
showedstrong effect
that on
whenononlyperformances
weather change of the combustion system. Utilization of the pellets prepared using dammar as a
pellet fuels had strong effect performances of theiscombustion
considered,system.
the margin of errorofcould
Utilization be acceptable
the pellets preparedfor somedammar
using applications
as a
binder
(the showed
error in the higher
annual overall
demand was thermal
lower efficiency
than 20% of
forthe
allcombustion
weather system than
scenarios utilization
considered). of the pellets
However, after prepared
introducing using cashew
renovation
binder showed the higher overall thermal efficiency of the combustion system than utilization of the pellets prepared using cashew
nut shell liquid
scenarios, and Persea
the error kurzii kosterm
value increased up topowder, respectively.
59.5% (depending onThe
the overall
weatherthermal efficiencyscenarios
and renovation of the combustion
combination system was in
considered).
nut shell liquid and Persea kurzii kosterm powder, respectively. The overall thermal efficiency of the combustion system was in
the range
Therange
valueof 24 .8 38 .5 - %.
the of of
24.slope
838.5-coefficient
%. increased on average within the range of 3.8% up to 8% per decade, that corresponds to the
decrease in the number of heating hours of 22-139h during the heating season (depending on the combination of weather and
©renovationThe Authors.
2017 The Authors. Published
Published by Elsevier
by Elsevier Ltd. hand, function intercept increased for 7.8-12.7% per decade (depending on the
Ltd.
© 2017 The scenarios considered).
Authors. Published On the other
by Elsevier Ltd.
Peer-review
coupled under responsibility
scenarios). The values of Organizing
the scientific
suggested Committee
couldcommittee
be used to of 2017
of the 2017AEDCEE.
modify International Conferencefor on the
Alternative
scenariosEnergy in
Peer-review
­Dimprove
eveloping under responsibility of the Organizing Committee of 2017 the function parameters
AEDCEE. considered, and
theCountries
accuracyand Emerging
of heat demand Economies.
estimations.

© 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Peer-review under responsibility of the Scientific Committee of The 15th International Symposium on District Heating and
Cooling.
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +0-664-375-416; fax: +0-664-375-416.
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +0-664-375-416; fax: +0-664-375-416.
E-mail address: jindaporn.msu@gmail.com
E-mail address:
Keywords: jindaporn.msu@gmail.com
Heat demand; Forecast; Climate change
1876-6102 © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
1876-6102 © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Peer-review under responsibility of the Organizing Committee of 2017 AEDCEE.
Peer-review under responsibility of the Organizing Committee of 2017 AEDCEE.

1876-6102 © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Peer-review under responsibility of the Scientific Committee of The 15th International Symposium on District Heating and Cooling.
1876-6102 © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 2017 International Conference on Alternative Energy in
­Developing Countries and Emerging Economies.
10.1016/j.egypro.2017.10.223
1148 Jindaporn Jamradloedluk et al. / Energy Procedia 138 (2017) 1147–1152
2 Author name / Energy Procedia 00 (2017) 000–000

Keywords: Bark; Binder; Biomass pellet; Fruit shell and peel

1. Introduction

Cellulosic biomass in a form of agricultural residue is considered one of the attractive renewable energy due to its
low-cost, abundance, clean, renewable, and carbon–neutral properties. However, handling, transportation, and storage
are costly attributed to its high moisture content, irregular form, low mass and energy densities [1]. These drawbacks
can be minimized through densification by increasing homogeneity and density of the biomass, resulting in the
improved fuel characteristics [2]. Pellets are the most energy intensive form of the densified product. They have higher
density and can be more easily handled, stored, and transported compared to briquettes or cubes. Pellets can also be
efficiently utilized for biochemical or thermochemical conversion because of the large superficial area of their particles
[3]. Currently, biomass materials used for making pellets are not restricted to only wood residues, such as sawdust,
wood shavings and wood chips, but also agro-residues, such as straw, waste products of the food industry and fuel
crops [4]. Although many biomass residues possess natural binders, they do not have enough strength due to the
limitations of binding between particles [5]. Additional binders are therefore required to improve binding during
densification into pellets. In spite of starch and water-soluble carbohydrates commonly used as binders, a various
number of binders such as sugary, protein, oil, and cellulose have been more increasingly used. Since barks and fruit
shells and peels in Thailand is not used for any specific purpose. This research therefore aims to prepare biomass
pellets from eucalyptus barks, mangosteen shells, and raw papaya peels with different binders. Effects of biomass
mixing ratios and binder types on properties of the pellets obtained were experimentally investigated.

2. Materials and methods

2.1 Preparation of biomass raw materials

Eucalyptus barks were obtained from a factory located in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand. Mangosteen shells and
raw papaya peels were collected from several local markets around Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham
Province, Thailand. Biomass barks and peels were sun dried for two days (until the final moisture content of
approximately 10%d.b. was reached) and were cut into the length of 1-3 cm. The cut samples were then crushed in a
hammer mill using a screen with an opening size of 850 µm. The crushed samples were stored for two days to reach
uniform moisture content before further analyses and pelletizing.

2.2 Preparation of binders

Three different binders used in this study were dammar, Persea kurzii kosterm powder, and cashew nut shell liquid.
Dammar and Persea kurzii kosterm powder were purchased from a local supplier and the cashew nut shell liquid was
obtained from a cashew nut processing plant in Sakon Nakhon Province. Prior to be used, dammar and Persea kurzii
kosterm powder were prepared by mixing with water at mass ratio of 1:1.5 for 5 minutes before adding to the blends
of biomass raw materials (Eucalyptus barks, mangosteen shells, and raw papaya peels).

2.3 Determination of chemical and physical properties of the biomass raw materials and binders

The elemental (ultimate) analyses of the raw materials were carried out using the CHNS/O elemental analyzer
(TruSpec Micro, DECO Corporation, UK). Proximate analysis was carried out according to ASTM E-1756 for
moisture content, ASTM E872-82 for volatile matter content, and ASTM E 1755-01 for ash content. The higher
heating values of the raw materials were measured in three replicates using an oxygen bomb calorimeter (Model 1341,
Parr Instrument Company, USA). Bulk density of the biomass powder and binder were determined according to
ASTM E873-82.
 Jindaporn Jamradloedluk et al. / Energy Procedia 138 (2017) 1147–1152 1149
Author name / Energy Procedia 00 (2017) 000–000 3

2.3 Pelleting process

The pelleting process was conducted in an extrusion machine designed for the purpose. The three crushed samples
(eucalyptus barks, mangosteen shells, and papaya peels) were thoroughly mixed with different mass mixing ratios
(eucalyptus bark : mangosteen shell : papaya peel of 1:1:1, 2:1:1, 1:2:1, and 1:1:2). The biomass mixture with different
proportions was blended with the prepared binder and then was densified into the diameter and length of 5 mm and
10-20 mm, respectively. Each mixing ratio condition of the pelleting process was carried out in duplicate. The
collected pellets were kept in a plastic Ziploc bag and stored in a desiccator at ambient temperature for 7 days prior to
determination of the properties.

2.4 Determination of pellet properties

Unit density of the pellets was determined by the ratio of mass (kg) to the volume (m3) calculated by the
measurement of the mass using a digital balance and measurement of volume using n-heptane displacement method.
The compression test of the pellets produced at different mixing ratios and binder types were conducted using a
universal testing machine (Model NRI-TS501, Narin Instrument Co. Ltd., Thailand). The uniform texture pellets were
selected and cut to obtain the flat surface of the specimen with the length of 1 cm. The pellet specimen was placed
vertically at the center of the base plate with the load cell of 5 kN and was compressed by a cylindrical probe with the
cross head speed of 20 mm/min. The force-displacement data was recorded and mechanical properties of the pellet
were reported. Twenty samples of each experiment were tested and each experiment was conducted in duplicate. The
higher heating values of the pellets were determined in three replicates using an oxygen bomb calorimeter (Model
1341, Parr Instrument Company, USA).

2.5 Combustion behaviour

Combustion tests of the pellets were conducted in a high efficiency household cookstove. Excess air was set in the
range of 20-110%. The heat produced from 1 kg of the biomass pellet fuels was used to boil 2 L of water. Temperatures
of the flame and water were measured and recorded every minute using thermocouples and a data logger (MX100,
Yokogawa, Japan). Flammability and smoke emission of the fuels were observed during the combustion process.
Overall thermal efficiency of the process was also reported.

3. Results and discussion

3.1 Basic properties of biomass raw materials and binders

After being sun dried, finely crushed and screened, eucalyptus barks became small dark-brownish fibers and bulky.
Mangosteen shells became red-brownish fine powder and raw papaya peels became yellow-greenish powder (not
shown). Proximate analysis and higher heating values of the biomass raw materials and binders were tabulated in
Table 1. Volatile matter was found to be the key composition in all types of biomass raw materials and binders.
Biomass usually contains high amount of volatile matter which has a positive influence on the sustainability of
combustion. The high volatile matter content makes biomass a highly reactive fuel with a faster combustion rate during
devolatisation phase compared to coal [6]. Proximate analysis of mangosteen shell analyzed in this study was similar
to that reported by Chen et al. [7] whereas ash content of eucalyptus barks in this study was slightly higher than that
investigated earlier [8]. This difference might be due to growth conditions, cultivation methods, and post-harvesting
handling of the biomass. Higher heating value is one of the most important properties to characterize the energy
content of a substance that would be used for a thermo-chemical process purpose. It has been stated that lignin content
in biomass has a stronger effect on higher heating value than other biomass constituents. In general, higher heating
value is directly proportional to amount of fixed carbon and volatile matter and is inversely proportional to ash content.
The higher heating value of the eucalyptus bark in this study was rather low compared with that reported in the
literature [8]. This was probably because the eucalyptus barks were outdoor stored. They might be naturally
deteriorated.
1150 Jindaporn Jamradloedluk et al. / Energy Procedia 138 (2017) 1147–1152
4 Author name / Energy Procedia 00 (2017) 000–000

Table 1 Proximate analysis and higher heating value of the biomass raw materials and binders
Chemical composition Higher heating value
Sample
Moisture (%) Volatile matter (%) Ash (%) Fixed carbon (%) (cal/g)
Eucalyptus bark 7.85±0.18b 66.36±5.63a 13.11±0.24c 12.67±5.54c 3,394.86±38.16a
Mangosteen shell 8.53±0.24b 67.21±0.93a 3.22±0.03a 21.03±0.70d 4,505.30±9.07c
Papaya peel 12.18±1.44c 73.66±0.60 b
8.71±0.34b 5.44±1.52b 3,817.85±34.69b
Persea kurzii kosterm 7.67±0.16b 64.32±1.80a 17.60±0.10d 10.39±1.74c 3,422.57±29.66a
Dammar 1.67±0.07a 80.55±0.04c 17.70±0.13d 0.07±0.17a 7,259.97±146.32d
Cashew nut shell liquid N/A N/A N/A N/A 7,382.02±133.76d
Different letters in the same column indicate that values are significantly different (p<0.05)

Elemental composition of biomass affected amount of air required for the combustion process. Higher heating
value is influenced positively by hydrogen, carbon and sulfur contents while nitrogen and oxygen have a negative
effect. As shown in Table 2, carbon was the main element in all types of materials.

Table 2 Ultimate analysis of biomass raw materials and binders

Elemental composition
Sample
C (%) H (%) O (%) N (%) S (%)
Mangosteen shell 47.399 5.945 46.00 0.460 0.196
Papaya peel 38.797 6.271 53.00 3.161 0.802
Eucalyptus bark 42.921 5.606 51.11 0.222 0.141
Persea kurzii kosterm 38.952 5.211 54.35 1.343 0.140
Dammar 61.145 7.945 30.69 7.945 0.130
Cashew nut shell liquid N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Different letters in the same column indicate that values are significantly different (p<0.05)

Bulk density of the input material is an important factor in the pelleting process. The bulk density of fresh biomass
is in the ranges of 80–100 kg m3 in agricultural residues and 150–200 kg m3 in woody biomass [9]. After being
crushed, bulk density of the biomass raw materials increased with the suggested minimum bulk density of 200 kg/m3
[10]. As shown in Fig. 1, average bulk density of the papaya peel powder was found to be 3.1 times of bulk density
of the loose eucalyptus bark powder. Different bulk densities of the raw materials and binders were attributed to their
different physical properties.

700
600
Bulk denstity (kg/m 3 )

500
Eucalyptus bark
400
Mangosteen shell
300
Papaya peel
200
Dammar
100
Persea kurzii kosterm
0
Eucalyptus Mangosteen Papaya peel Dammar Persea kurzii
bark shell kosterm

Fig. 1. Average bulk densities of biomass raw material powders and binders

3.2 General appearance and properties of biomass pellets obtained from pelleting at different conditions
By observation, it was apparent that the pellets prepared using cashew nut shell liquid as a binder were brittle and
non-uniform in length. The pellets with cracked and uneven surface were found in case of using dammar as a binder.
The smooth pelleting process in case of using Persea kurzii kosterm as a binder led to the smoother surface of the
pellets compared to other binder types.
 Jindaporn Jamradloedluk et al. / Energy Procedia 138 (2017) 1147–1152 1151
Author name / Energy Procedia 00 (2017) 000–000 5

Properties in terms of density, higher heating value and mechanical properties of the pellets prepared at different
conditions were presented in Table 3. The effect of binder type on pellet properties was more pronounced than the
effect of mixing ratio. The unit densities of all pellets obtained were in the ranges of 1,300-1,800 kg/m3. These were
up to 8.5 times the average bulk density of the loose eucalyptus and up to 2.7 times the bulk density of papaya peel.
Obviously, Persea kurzii kosterm powder provided the pellets with significantly higher density than the other two
binders (p<0.05). This can be explained by the fact that Persea kurzii kosterm solution was more viscous compared
to dammar solution and cashew nut shell liquid. With high pressure during palletization, it probably formed films
around biomass particles resulting in a stronger particle bonding [3]. The pellet density was hence higher. It was also
noted that the higher heating value of pellets was mainly affected by the composition of the raw materials. Higher
heating value of the pellet using cashew nut shell liquid as a binder was higher than that of the pellet using dammar
and Persea kurzii kosterm as binders. This was because cashew nut shell liquid had the higher higher heating value.
However, the pellets prepared using cashew nut shell liquid showed inferior mechanical characteristics compared to
those prepared using dammar and Persea kurzii kosterm.

Table 3 Properties of pellets prepared at different biomass mixing ratios and binder types
Binder type Mixing ratio Density Higher heating Compressive Maximum force
(kg/m3) value (cal/g) strength (N/mm2) (N)
1:1:1 1,792.36±33.19g 4,080.93±158.77ab 4.97±0.99cd 97.50±19.50cd
Persea kurzii 2:1:1 1,728.71±50.30f 3,990.11±12.84ab 5.69±1.09de 111.67±21.50de
kosterm 1:2:1 1,587.33±70.39e 4,014.09±7.23ab 7.45±1.14g 146.29±22.39g
1:1:2 1,683.20±14.49f 3,825.25±125.06a 8.93±1.96h 175.26±38.52h
1:1:1 1,554.13±9.00de 4,433.11±74.02bcd 6.49±1.36f 127.36±26.6f
2:1:1 1,1436.84±9.89b 4,720.88±43.34cde 5.37±0.63cde 105.55±12.33cde
Dammar 1:2:1 1,317.02±62.20a 4,669.03±11.30cde 5.85±0.98f 114.79±19.25ef
1:1:2 1,432.05±4.67b 4,345.26±84.70bc 4.77±0.66c 93.71±12.93c
1:1:1 1,516.87±9.62cd 4,903.58±209.08de 2.19±0.75b 42.92±14.78b
Cashew nut 2:1:1 1,532.01±4.49cde 4,910.51±19.74de 1.32±0.32a 25.92±6.29a
shell liquid 1:2:1 1,563.32±6.95de 5,068.60±7.74e 0.70±0.20a 13.73±3.90a
1:1:2 1,477.70±34.55bc 4,928.86±38.16de 0.84±0.38a 16.42±7.53a
Different letters in the same column indicate that values are significantly different (p<0.05)

3.3 Utilization of biomass pellets as a fuel for the combustion process in a high efficiency household cookstove.
Biomass pellets prepared were used as fuels in the combustion process for boiling water. Temperatures of water
and flame during the combustion process were depicted in Fig. 2.

200 600
180 550
160 500
Flame temperature (°C)
Wa ter temperature (°C)

450
140 400
120 350 Cashew nut shell liquid
100 300 Dammar
80 250 Persea kurzii kosterm
200
60
150
40 100
20 50
0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55
Time (min)

Fig. 2 Water and flame temperatures during combustion process fueled by biomass pellets prepared at mixing ratio
of 2:1:1 (eucalyptus bark: mangosteen shell: papaya peel) by using different binders.
1152 Jindaporn Jamradloedluk et al. / Energy Procedia 138 (2017) 1147–1152
6 Author name / Energy Procedia 00 (2017) 000–000

It was obvious that flame temperature gradually increased at the initial stage and then continuously decreased. The
highest flame temperature ranged from 400 to 600oC depending on type of binder. Pellets using cashew nut shell
liquid as binder gave the higher flame temperature than those using dammar and Persea kurzii kosterm as binders,
respectively. It was also found that water started to boil at the elapsed time of 7-10 minutes. With the same amount of
fuel used, the considerably longer burning time was observed in case of the pellets prepared using cashew nut shell
liquid. Overall thermal efficiencies of the combustion process fuelled by the pellets prepared using dammar, cashew
nut shell liquid, and Persea kurzii kosterm were 38.5, 27.2, and 24.8%, respectively. By observation, pellets derived
from all types of binders ignited and burned easily. During combustion, cashew nut shell liquid derived pellets emitted
large amount of smoke with unpleasant odor compared to other types of pellets.

4. Conclusion

General appearances of the biomass pellets were significantly different depending on binder types used. Irregular
size (length) and surface fissure were found in the pellets prepared using cashew nut shell liquid and dammar as
binders, respectively. Smooth surface without cracks and regular size (length) were obtained for the pellets prepared
using Persea kurzii kosterm as a binder. Persea kurzii kosterm powder also provided the pellets with higher density
compared to the other two binders. Cashew nut shell liquid provided the pellets with inferior mechanical
characteristics but higher higher heating value compared to the other two binders. Overall thermal efficiency of the
combustion process can be improved by using pellets with dammar. Cashew nut shell liquid might not be suggested
due to its unpleasant smoke and deposited tar.

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge Faculty of Engineering, Mahasarakham University for financial support. Mr.
Ittipon Hindee and Ms. Anuthida Sanmuang are also acknowledged for their experimental assistance.

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