Scholarlink

<p>Biochar briquettes have attracted growing attention as renewable solid fuels and carbon sequestration agents due to their high carbon content and potential contribution to sustainable energy systems. However, their large-scale deployment remains constrained by mechanical fragility, poor resistance to handling and environmental exposure, and limited durability during storage and transport, particularly when produced from fine lignocellulosic residues. Addressing these limitations is essential to improve the practical applicability of biochar-based solid fuels. In this study, bio-oil derived from the fast pyrolysis of Ayous (<i>Triplochiton scleroxylon</i>) and Sapelli (<i>Entandrophragma cylindricum</i>) sawdust was evaluated as an organic binder to enhance the performance of biochar briquettes. Biochars were produced by pyrolysis (500&#xa0;°C), blended with bio-oil at varying binder contents, and densified into briquettes under controlled compaction conditions. The resulting briquettes were characterized in terms of physicochemical properties, bulk density, mechanical strength, water resistance, freeze–thaw durability, and energy performance. Incorporation of 15 wt% bio-oil increased compressive strength from 2.8&#xa0;MPa to 4.0&#xa0;MPa (+ 43%) and bulk density from 1.06 to 1.09&#xa0;g cm⁻³ to 1.25–1.28&#xa0;g cm⁻³ (+ 26%). The higher heating value improved from 24.8&#xa0;MJ kg⁻¹ to 28.9&#xa0;MJ kg⁻¹ (+ 16%), while water absorption decreased from 22.5% to 14.7% (− 35%). Durability tests under ten freeze–thaw cycles revealed only 8% strength loss, compared with 23% for unbound briquettes. The µCT analyses confirmed enhanced particle cohesion and reduced porosity associated with the formation of hydrophobic bio-oil-derived binding phases. Overall, the results demonstrate that bio-oil is an effective binder for producing mechanically robust, energy-dense, and environmentally durable biochar briquettes, supporting the valorization of pyrolysis by-products and the development of sustainable solid fuels within a circular bioenergy framework.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Influence of bio-oil binder on the mechanical properties, energy density and durability of biochar briquettes from Ayous and Sapelli sawdust

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月19日

查看全文
  • Davy Kaoke Fiwa,
  • Albert Veved,
  • Musongo Balike,
  • Djakaou Iya-sou,
  • Hassana Boukar,
  • Emmanuel Talla

摘要

Biochar briquettes have attracted growing attention as renewable solid fuels and carbon sequestration agents due to their high carbon content and potential contribution to sustainable energy systems. However, their large-scale deployment remains constrained by mechanical fragility, poor resistance to handling and environmental exposure, and limited durability during storage and transport, particularly when produced from fine lignocellulosic residues. Addressing these limitations is essential to improve the practical applicability of biochar-based solid fuels. In this study, bio-oil derived from the fast pyrolysis of Ayous (Triplochiton scleroxylon) and Sapelli (Entandrophragma cylindricum) sawdust was evaluated as an organic binder to enhance the performance of biochar briquettes. Biochars were produced by pyrolysis (500 °C), blended with bio-oil at varying binder contents, and densified into briquettes under controlled compaction conditions. The resulting briquettes were characterized in terms of physicochemical properties, bulk density, mechanical strength, water resistance, freeze–thaw durability, and energy performance. Incorporation of 15 wt% bio-oil increased compressive strength from 2.8 MPa to 4.0 MPa (+ 43%) and bulk density from 1.06 to 1.09 g cm⁻³ to 1.25–1.28 g cm⁻³ (+ 26%). The higher heating value improved from 24.8 MJ kg⁻¹ to 28.9 MJ kg⁻¹ (+ 16%), while water absorption decreased from 22.5% to 14.7% (− 35%). Durability tests under ten freeze–thaw cycles revealed only 8% strength loss, compared with 23% for unbound briquettes. The µCT analyses confirmed enhanced particle cohesion and reduced porosity associated with the formation of hydrophobic bio-oil-derived binding phases. Overall, the results demonstrate that bio-oil is an effective binder for producing mechanically robust, energy-dense, and environmentally durable biochar briquettes, supporting the valorization of pyrolysis by-products and the development of sustainable solid fuels within a circular bioenergy framework.