Processing of Biomass By-Products for Non- Torrefied Pallet Production

Abstract

The global reliance on fossil fuels, primarily coal, oil, and natural gas, has driven a dramatic increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which are a major contributor to climate change. Research indicates that an 80% increase in fossil fuel consumption leads to a 70% rise in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, underscoring the urgent need for cleaner, renewable energy alternatives. Among the most promising solutions is biomass energy, which is considered nearly carbon-neutral and offers significant environmental and economic benefits due to its renewable nature and lower production costs. However, raw biomass presents several challenges: it is bulky, has high moisture content, and is irregular in shape and size, making it difficult to handle, transport, and store efficiently. Densification of biomass into pellets addresses these issues by increasing its specific weight from 40–200 kg/m³ to 600–800 kg/m³, making transportation and storage more practical and cost-effective. Pellets also offer uniformity in size and shape, which simplifies handling and allows for more consistent combustion in energy applications.