The use of a redesigned hydraulic press in the evaluation of residues from tomato farming as solid biofuel in rural areas and determination of durability properties
摘要
For this study, briquettes were obtained from the residues released in large quantities after tomato harvest. The effects of particle size and compaction pressure on solid biofuel properties were investigated. A redesigned hydraulic press was used for this. With this machine, briquettes with the compression pressure adjustable in the range of 0-240 MPa and a mold diameter of 50 mm were obtained. The briquettes obtained are at six different compression pressures 25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 MPa, two particle sizes 2–5 mm, 7–10 mm and 8–10% moisture content. Shatter and tumbler tests, briquette firmness, briquette density, capacity and specific energy consumption values were determined for the briquettes’ physical strength and machine properties. Briquette densities on wet basis varied between 788.04 and 1333.28 kg.m− 3. The results obtained were analysed using statistical methods, including PCA and ANOVA. The volume weights of the briquettes at different compression pressures were significant (p < 0.01) at a compression pressure of 150 MPa and a particle size of 7–10 mm. The highest average values were obtained for briquette density 1330.40 kg.m− 3, hardness 11617.51 N, tumbler test 98.95% and breakage test 99.22%. It was determined that the highest capacity value 5.16 kg.h− 1 obtained in the study reached 125 MPa compression pressure and 2–5 mm particle size. The highest specific energy consumption value of 0.70 kWh.kg− 1 was obtained at 150 MPa compression pressure and 7–10 mm particle size. The study’s results have determined that the compression pressure and particle size affect the properties of solid biofuels of briquettes obtained from tomato residues. Briquettes with a pressure value of 150 MPa and a 2–5 mm particle size were the strongest in solid biofuel production.