Paper details

Title:

Pelleting Cork Powder and Grape Pomace Residues: Experiences and Results

Author(s):

Arranz Barriga, J.I., García-Cuevas, M.T., Román Suero, S., Montero Puertas, I., López León, M., Rojas Rodríguez, S., Rojas Moreno, C.V.

Document(s):

Abstract:

In the regions of Extremadura (Spain) and Alentejo (Portugal) are located numerous cork industries which due to their activity produce large amounts of residues from the cork oak bark (Quercus suber). These by­products are usually disposed in garbage dumps without further use. Cork powder is one this type of wastes, which presents interesting thermal properties due to its high heating power. However, it shows some management problems as a result of its low bulk density and high amount of fines. Since this raw material presents such drawbacks, a feasibly option for its exploitation is its densification in pellets. In order to facilitate the pelleting process, without the need of adding binders, it is possible to blend this residue with other materials. This is the case of the washed grape pomace which is an industrial residue that shows good characteristics and abundant availability. This by­product of the wine industry is extensively produced in the district of Tierra de Barros (Extremadura). In this work, pellets from different percentages of cork powder and washed grape pomace have been produced in an experimental pelleting equipment. The pelletization of the cork powder was not viable without moisture addition to the raw material even though a little efficient pellet was obtained. Nevertheless, when grape pomace was added a substantial improvement in the densification process was observed, with a little modification in the thermal characteristics of the cork powder. Considering the abundant availability of these two by­products and their nearby generation (transport cost minimization), these can be reutilized to produce a competitive pellet that can be used in small thermal boilers in both regions.

Keywords:

biomass, characterization, pellets

Topic:

Fuels from biomass

Subtopic:

Production, supply and use of solid biofuels

Event:

18th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

VP3.1.14

Pages:

1699 - 1703

ISBN-13:

978-88-89407-56-1

ISBN-10:

88-89407-56-5

Paper DOI:

10.5071/18thEUBCE2010-VP3.1.14

Price:

FREE