THERMAL BRIQUETTES FROM PLANT MATERIALS AS AN ALTERNATIVE SOURCE OF ENERGY

Abstract

One of the problems facing humanity is the reduction of energy resources - oil, gas, as a result of which humanity will face an inevitable energy hunger. This will primarily affect Armenia, which is one of the poorest country in this regard. The constant rise in prices for fuel and energy resources dictates the need to find new and relatively cheap resources, which will save oil and gas reserves, as well as make the process of their use more economical. One of the solutions to this problem is the use of wood waste from the woodworking industry. In addition, a huge amount of wood waste is generated during the sanitation of forests, city parks, collection of dry leaves and branches, as well as in agriculture.

Currently, in the world for the production of firewood or biomass, energy forests are grown, consisting of fast-growing species - poplar, eucalyptus, etc. Forests in Armenia occupy about 10% of the entire territory of the republic. In the northern part, forest covers 28 ... 30%, in the southern regions - about 5% of the entire territory of the republic. In Armenia, the main forest-forming species are beech - 32.9%, oak - 32.8%, hornbeam - 16.2%, pine - 3.8%, ash - 2.0%, etc. - 12.4%. When sanitizing forests (continuous or selective), a huge amount of wood waste is generated, which is taken out for further use as fuel or left on site. The use of wood waste as a fuel, which is practiced in the republic, is inefficient, since they have a large volume in terms of storage, as well as transportation, in addition, dry sawdust and wood dust are susceptible to spontaneous combustion.

One of the ways to solve the problem of rational use of small wood waste is their briquetting. The paper considers the technological and technical aspects of briquetting wood waste.