Preparation of mixed fuel pellets from used polypropylene canvas and biomass

Abstract

This research is an energy feasibility study on the production of fuel pellets from recycled polypropylene canvas and biomass materials, i.e. corn cobs and rice straw. The properties of mixed fuel pellets were analysed in order to find the appropriate proportion of used polypropylene canvas and biomass materials and to produce pellet fuels that meet Thailand’s pellet fuel standards for industrial applications, TIS 2772-2560. The ratio of polypropylene and biomass were varied into 3 ratios: 10:90, 20:80 and 30:70. The palletization was performed by a 3 hp pellet machine by using a 20 percent by mass of tapioca starch water was used as a binder. The results showed that the moistures of mixed fuel pellets produced from used polypropylene canvas with corn cobs at ratio 10:90, 20:80 and 30:70 were 9.09, 7.97 and 5.96 percent by mass, respectively. Heating values of 20.67, 21.69 and 24.89 MJ/kg, and ash contents of 1.86, 2.58 and 2.76 percent by mass were found, respectively. Whilst the moistures of mixed fuel pellets of used polypropylene canvas with rice straw at 10:90, 20:80 and 30:70 were 10.51, 10.42 and 6.99 percent by mass, heating values of 19.90, 21.14 and 22.95 MJ/kg, and ash contents of 8.49, 9.69 and 10.53 percent by mass were found, respectively.

In conclusion, fuel pellets can feasible be used as fuel due to the high heating value. All fuel pellets properties except bulk density meet the Thailand’s pellet fuel standard for industrial application. The reason of slightly below standard bulk density is might due to the fact that polypropylene canvas has a lightweight property.