Evaluation of bamboo biomass pellets: impact of binder type and age of bamboo on pellet quality and performance

This study was conducted to identify the energy alternative by using different kinds of de-oiled cakes which are considered as waste and produce pellets. The bamboo biomass dust used in this study was Bambusa balcooa and the binders are de-oiled cakes of Sal (Shorea robusta), Karanj (Millettia pinnata), Mahua (Madhuca longifolia) and Rice bran. Different aged bamboo biomass dust viz., one-year-aged, two-year-aged and three-year-aged was used in the pellet production. The experiment was designed in Factorial Randomized Block Design in which two factors are involved i.e., different binders are considered as Factor A and different ages of bamboo biomass dust was considered as Factor B. Based on the results obtained from the study for physical properties, proximate analysis, combustion properties and economics of the pellets showed that the pellets would be the proposed new biomass solid fuel (suitable for burning purpose) and can be used for commercial purpose. In case of bamboo biomass dust, the analyzed parameters are moisture content (%), ash content (%) and gross calorific value (Cal g-1). The data showed that, as the age of bamboo biomass increases, the moisture content (%) and ash content (%) decreases but the gross calorific value (Cal g-1) increased. The depicted results of different parameters for bamboo pellets are studied and resulted that, in particle density (g cm-3) and combustion rate (g s-1), the highest values were showed by 2-year-old bamboo biomass followed by 3-year-old bamboo biomass and lowest value was observed in 1-year-old bamboo biomass. Meanwhile, the properties such as bulk density, percentage volatile matter and percentage ash content showed gradual decrease in values as the age of bamboo biomass increased.