Biomass materials like rice husks, sawdust, coffee husk, woodchips, groundnut, peanut husk, cotton stalks, and other organic materials can be compressed into briquettes and pellets. They are used as cooking and heating fuel and for electricity generation.
Biomass briquettes and pellets have become sustainable, cost-effective alternatives to fossil fuels. As they are made from organic material, biomass briquettes, and pellets do not emit greenhouse gases and help reduce carbon emissions.
Which is better, pellets or briquettes?
Before analyzing which one is better, it is important to understand the difference between pellets and briquettes.
Composition
Biomass briquettes are made from wood materials, scrap, and residuals from agricultural processes, forestry residues, animal remains, and so on, whereas biomass pellets are made from straw, husk, crop stalk, sawdust, and other agricultural remains. Though both are made from organic materials, their actual requirement varies. The briquetting process has the power to handle raw materials with a higher moisture content of 15-20%, unlike pelletizing, where you must ensure that the moisture in the raw material is below 7-8%.
Size and shape
Biomass pellets are cylindrical with a 6 mm to 8 mm diameter, and the length is usually 3 to 5 times the diameter. Briquettes are blocks and sticks and are denser than biomass pellets. The length of biomass briquettes is more than 15 cm, and the diameter varies between 30 and 40 mm. The size of biomass briquettes is larger than that of biomass pellets.
End Use
Both biomass briquettes and pellets are used in boilers and stoves. Yet, briquettes are generally used in large and medium-sized boilers, while pellets are used for stoves and small-scale boilers.
Combustion efficiency
Biomass pellets burn easily, and they transfer heat faster. Biomass briquettes burn for a longer duration, and their combustion efficiency is higher.
Is briquettes business profitable? Is pellet making business profitable?
Before evaluating the profitability of the briquette and pellet-making business, look for the following factors.
Raw material
- Check whether the raw material is available.
- Cost of raw material
- The type and form of raw material that is available. Is it available in logs, sawdust, loose form, chips, etc.?
- The moisture content of the raw material.
- Transport cost and nearness to your factory.
Production
- Cost of commercial electricity in the state.
- Availability of labor.
- Wage rates in the area
Market & Logistics
- What is the market you are targeting? Is it a domestic or export market?
- Cost of storage
- Cost of transport and shipping.
- If you are looking to export, check for the exchange rates and their volatility.
What is the greatest advantage of briquette over loose biomass burning?
Biomass briquettes and pellets have several advantages over loose biomass burning. As biomass materials are dried and densified in the briquette-making and pelletizing processes, they tend to burn longer. The combustion efficiency is higher than burning loose biomass materials.
Read this blog also: What is the composition of Biomass Briquettes?
Final notes
As the world is moving towards net zero carbon emissions, alternatives like biomass briquettes and pellets are gaining prominence. They also serve as cheaper sources of fuel in low-income countries and developed economies. So, both the biomass briquettes and pellets market is expected to grow in the coming days and present promising opportunities. So, before investing in biomass briquettes and pellets, evaluate the availability, cost, and moisture content of raw materials, transport costs, labour wage rates, and the intended end use.
Biomass briquettes sale in India
If you are scouting for biomass briquettes service, then Buyofuel is your go-to spot. We bring together biomass briquette suppliers, manufacturers, and buyers. To know the latest biomass briquettes price in Coimbatore or India, or for details on wood briquette – latest price and trends, visit https://buyofuel.com/. Contact us at +91 86067 82055. Alternatively, you can write to us at [email protected].
