The preparation of composite solid fuels in the roll press

AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics, 30-059 Kraków, al. Mickiewicza 30, Poland

^* Corresponding author: kostur@agh.edu.pl

Abstract

Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources and amending and subsequently repealing Directives 2001/77/EC and 2003/30/EC, and the annex to resolution 202/2009 of the Council of Ministers of 10 November 2009 on the energy policy of Poland until up to 2030 indicate the necessity of increasing the contribution of renewable fuels in the energy balance of Poland. This increase is supposed to strengthen Polish energy security. The undertakings of the Polish government indicate the increase in utilisation of various renewable energy sources such as biomass. Due to that, new technologies connected with the management of the traditional energy sources, such as lignite, have to be developed. Due to its high moisture, lignite is perceived as a lowefficiency fuel. The calorific value of lignite can be improved upon by mixing it with biomass, e.g. sawdust, and briquetting it in roll presses equipped with asymmetrical layout compacting system. Such technology can be used only if the mixed ingredients are adequately prepared beforehand. Research in this field has been conducted in the Department of Manufacturing Systems AGH University of Science and Technology in Cracow. Based on this research, PW 500 roll press design was prepared. PW 500 roll press is prepared for briquetting composite solid fuels based on a mixture of lignite extracted in Szczerców and two types of biomass: oat straws and spruce sawdust. The results of the aforementioned briquetting are presented in this article.