Briquettes for heating: is it beneficial in comparison with other types of fuel?

The options for heating our homes are seemingly limitless, ranging from conventional firewood to contemporary gas and electric alternatives. On the other hand, interest in alternative fuels like briquettes has grown recently. These compressed biomass blocks seem like a good heating option, but do they really offer any advantages over other fuels?

Let’s first examine what briquettes are and how they function. Compressed organic materials like wood chips, sawdust, leftover agricultural waste, or even paper can be used to make briquettes. They are an environmentally friendly choice because they are made under high pressure without the need of binders or chemicals. Briquettes burn well and consistently release heat due to their dense composition.

Briquettes’ sustainability is one of their main benefits. Briquettes are made of renewable resources, in contrast to fossil fuels like coal and oil, which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and deteriorate the environment. Briquette manufacturing reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and lessens the need for deforestation by using waste products like sawdust or agricultural residues.

Briquettes are also convenient and simple to use. They are simple to handle, store, and transport due to their consistent size and shape. Briquettes are ready to use right out of the bag, unlike firewood, which needs to be chopped and seasoned. They are especially desirable for homes seeking a hassle-free heating option because of this.

However, what about economy of cost? The comparison with other fuel types becomes important at this point. Briquettes may seem more expensive initially than firewood or other conventional fuels, but over time, they are frequently a more cost-effective option due to their efficiency and longer burning time. Furthermore, homeowners may benefit from the financial predictability that comes with biomass due to its stable pricing in comparison to the volatile prices of fossil fuels.

Manufacturing technology and scope

There is still a significant amount of waste after natural raw materials are processed. In the woodworking industry, for instance, it’s chips, sawdust, chips. Every production aims to produce as little waste as possible, so even the leftover raw materials have long since learned to be used to create the appropriate products—let’ssay,a slab of paper. When the cost of solid fuel increased, waste started to be compressed into easily transportable briquettes, which quickly gained popularity.

Simple technology is used to create wood briquettes for heating: waste is simultaneously crushed, pressed, and heated. Particles can be held together by either synthetic solutions or the natural lignin component. To keep the surface in shape, slightly melt it.

Certain types have through holes to improve combustion efficiency. Next, more protected briquettes are left unpackaged while smaller products are wrapped in film or paper bags. Products are sold in this format to meet both personal and commercial needs.

When purchasing briquettes at retail or, for greater profit, wholesale, be sure to inspect the size and shape of the pieces as they must fit your stove, boiler, or barbeque.

The fuel’s sufficient heat transfer allows it to be used to successfully heat a variety of rooms, including:

• production workshops, warehouses with an area of up to 200 m²;
• nozzles, boiler houses;
• Private possessions: cottages, country houses, cottages;
• Russian baths, saunas.

Evrodrov is available for greater length or diameter in volumetric solid fuel boilers, and small briquettes and granules fit into furnaces of any size with ease. As an illustration: A large warehouse hangar with an area of 180-200 m² requires 30-35 kg of wood sawdust fuel per day, or 3-3.5 standard ten-kilogram packaging.

Briquettes are ideal for nature lovers to bring along for bonfires, grilling, or cooking on a barbecue because they are lightweight, compact, and easy to store in a passenger car trunk. They also burn flawlessly outdoors. Briquetted products are a universal cure for summertime dwellers; they work well for both on-site firing and home heating.

Classification of briquetted products

Groupings are formed based on a number of factors, including the type of product, the degree of protection, the cleanliness of the environment, and even the type of packaging. Think about a typical classification based on the form and type of manufacture.

The majority of the briquettes are made in this particular configuration:

• RUF – bricks with rounded corners.
• Nestro – cylinders of various lengths.
• Pini-Kay-elongated polyhedra with a hole in the middle.

In Germany, the first rectangular RUF products were introduced. Strong hydraulic presses that can withstand pressures of up to 400 bar are used to release them. Some "barrels" have a radial hole, and machines with hydraulic or shock-mechanical drives release the cylindrical shape.

RUF briquettes are preferred for their portability, affordability, and simplicity of use. Even when there isn’t an open fire, they still release heat.

Thermal firing is used in addition to the typical mechanical pressing process under pressure of up to 1100 bar for the production of Pini-Kay tubes. Strength, resistance to moisture, calorie content, and duration of combustion are all increased. The goods from the first two groups, on the other hand, are always packed in airtight containers that are easy to transport because they are delicate and readily absorb moisture. If desired, long tubes and cylinders (60–70 cm) are easily divided into parts.

Fuel briquette processing quality has an impact on price as well; Pini-Kay is more costly than its two equivalents. Their distinctive exterior color, which is either dark brown or black, helps identify them. Packaging typically lists the manufacturing material and characteristics.

Small granules called pellets are used in addition to fuel briquettes. Because of their dense structure and high carbon content, they have high heat transfer.

For various reasons, fuel briquettes are classified as an environmentally friendly fuel type.

• For manufacture, use exclusively to be disposed of waste – dust, baby, sawdust;
• When burning briquetted fuel, a minimum of carbon dioxide is released (for comparison – combustion of natural gas increases the amount of carbon dioxide secreted by 10 times, coal – 50 times);
• As a result of combustion, ash (not coal) is formed, which is suitable for feeding garden crops as a nitrogen fertilizer.

Cottages and country homes can be safely and effectively heated with briquettes.

The most practical classification, on the other hand, is based on the material used in manufacturing, which includes agricultural biomass, coal dust, wood sawdust, peat crumbs, etc. D. We’ll talk about it in greater detail.

Briquettes stand out among the other heating fuel options because they have a number of advantages over other fuel types. Often created from sawdust, wood chips, or agricultural residues, these compressed blocks of biomass offer a sustainable substitute for conventional fuels like coal or firewood. When compared to other fuels, briquettes burn more cleanly and consistently produce more heat. They are also easy to transport and store due to their consistent size and shape. Environmentally conscious homeowners looking for effective and sustainable heating solutions may find that briquettes are a compelling option due to their long-term savings and ecological benefits, even though the initial costs may be slightly higher.

Types of briquettes in composition of raw materials

Examine the benefits of each fuel type to determine which has the greatest heat transfer and which is more cost-effective to buy for boiler or stove heating.

Coal briquettes

Coal wems, or waste from the coal industry, are used to make small briquettes that resemble black cylinders or tablets. In addition, the wings are pressed, ground, and diluted with binding agents. Ideal for barbecues and furnaces alike. The proprietors of roadside eateries, small cafes, and bars enjoy it.

The process of making coal briquettes preserves the material’s color and physical characteristics, but unlike stone coal, pressed products don’t leave any residue or discolor hands or clothing.

The processed raw materials of smoke and carbon monoxide are far less prominent than the raw material itself, which is natural stone coal. Although they can also be used in private homes, businesses with boiler equipment are more likely to buy coal products.

It is feasible to sustain a steady temperature for an extended period of time because the firebox’s combustion time is 6-7 hours, and up to 10 hours if the air supply system is in place. Transfer of heat: 5200 K/cal. While the ash content (28%), in comparison to other briquetted products, is high, it is significantly lower than the volume of slag produced by regular coal heating.

The components that make up coal briquettes—coal crumbs, anthracites, brown coal, coke, and semi-term particles—determine how much combustion waste they produce.

In the areas where "black gold" is mined, coal briquettes for heating are particularly well-liked. Fuel prices are democratic because paying too much for transportation is not necessary. Numerous factors determine the cost in other areas, so 4,500 rubles and 9,000 rubles, respectively, can be used to purchase a ton of fuel. A 20-kilogram bag typically costs between 250 and 350 rubles.

Wood briquettes

Lignin makes wood waste briquettes sturdy and practical for transportation. Almost any breed, including birch, spruce, oak, and pine, can be manufactured. Their heat transfer is less than that of coal products and fuel from sunflower lusk.

If you choose to buy wood briquettes initially, keep in mind that firewood is measured in kilograms rather than cubic meters.

Like the logs, the briquettes burn down and leave the coals despite the fact that the manufacturing process changes the structure of the wood. They are perfect for preparing meat and fish dishes during a picnic because of this feature. possess all the advantages of environmentally friendly products and are both affordable and widely used. The inhabitants of non-inferior wood briquettes are frequently referred to as "euroders."

Because of its high density of 1240 kg/m³, the heat transfer level is high; in contrast, regular firewood can have a density of 150 kg/m³ or less, which is far lower than 1000 kg/m³. Only 1% of the ash is left after the briquettes are burned, compared to about 5% for the logs.

When burning, a woody briquette releases 4500 kcal/kg of heat, compared to only 3000 kcal/kg for logs. This indicates that the heat transfer of woody briquettes is significantly higher than that of regular firewood.

Pressed wood is valued for its low smoke and spark-producing qualities. There will be four hours of burning. Ruf woody pressed fuel costs between 6200 and 6800 rubles. Pini-Kay-9000-9500 rub./ton [1].

Peat briquettes

Long recognized for its superior fuel qualities (heat transfer up to 5700 kcal/kg), few people are aware of the drawbacks of fuel. Due to waste, many people reject peat briquettes for heating. A large amount of ash is left over after burning, but for summertime residents, this ash can be used to fertilize garden plants. Products of peat processing include lime and phosphorus.

The quality and features of peat briquettes determine their price. Products in the Standard class cost 6500 rubles per ton, while those in the Euro class can cost up to 8000 rubles due to a 1,500 kcal/kg increase in heat transfer.

The health risks associated with smoke are another drawback. Peat burns for roughly ten hours, which is useful for nighttime heating in private homes—but only if the furnace is completely dependable.

Peat pellets are significantly less expensive per ton of fuel than briquettes because of their low cost—just 4,500 rubles.

While using peat products on a regular basis is not worth it, it is acceptable for short-term summer use. The briquettes should be handled carefully, and they shouldn’t be left close to an open fire as peat dust ignites quickly and can start a large fire.

Luzgi briquettes

The creation of briquettes from biological waste, such as sunflower husk, regular straw, rice or buckwheat husk, waging wheat, or oats, was a true breakthrough in the fuel industry. Everything that had been thrown out for recycling started to serve a purpose. Sunflower raw materials emit a pleasant, distinct smell when they burn.

Briquettes made of sunflower Luzga have a high thermal capacity and low humidity: 150–200 kg of firewood can be easily substituted with 100 kg of pressed plant fuel.

Because plant fuel contains oils, it has a high heat transfer rate that is equivalent to the coal analogue’s 5200 kcal/kg heat transfer. Even though 2.8% to 4.5% of the ash is still waste, the low cost plays a crucial role, and the products made from sunflower lusk are used to great satisfaction.

Sunflower Luzga granules are typically applied in large quantities. They are the least expensive, starting at 2100 rubles per ton when purchased in bulk; retail prices are slightly higher.

Luzgi offers affordable, eco-friendly fuel in the form of briquettes and granules.

When you think about the different ways you can heat your house, briquettes come out on top. Compared to conventional fossil fuels like coal or wood, these compressed biomass blocks provide a sustainable fuel option. They are environmentally friendly because a lot of waste materials are used in their production. Furthermore, the uniformity of their dimensions and form promotes effective burning and steady heat production.

Briquettes are inexpensive, which is one of their main benefits. Their higher energy density means you’ll need less volume to achieve the same amount of heat, even though their initial investment may be slightly higher than that of some other fuels, like firewood. Long-term savings can result from this, particularly in light of the growing price of conventional fuels and the possibility of grants or other incentives for the use of renewable energy sources.

Beyond just being economical, briquettes have other useful advantages. Because of their homogeneous makeup and low moisture content, they burn cleaner, producing fewer emissions and causing less creosote to accumulate in flues and chimneys. This increases overall home safety by lowering the risk of chimney fires and improving indoor air quality.

Additionally, using briquettes supports waste reduction initiatives and sustainable forestry practices. By using sawdust, agricultural residues, or other biomass materials, they lessen the need for virgin timber and divert waste from landfills. This is in line with more general environmental objectives, such as reducing climate change and protecting biodiversity.

In conclusion, briquettes present a strong choice for environmentally conscious homeowners looking for affordable and effective alternatives, even though no single heating fuel may be inherently better in every situation. Their advantages go beyond simple thermal comfort and include things like convenience, safety, and sustainability. Incorporating briquettes into your heating strategy will not only make your home cozy but also help create a more sustainable and greener future.

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