Fuel Property Evaluation of Wood Pellets from Rice Straw and Refuse-Derived Fuel Blends

Paisan Comsawang, Nat Thuchayapong

Abstract


As the demand for renewable energy and effective waste management grows, this study investigates the potential of producing wood pellets from rice straw biomass blended with refuse-derived fuel (RDF). Six mixing ratios by weight of rice straw to RDF were tested: 100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, and 50:50 (wt%). The RDF used comprised 48% plastic, 25% paper, 23% fabric, and 4% organic matter. Pellets were produced using a rotary flat die briquetting machine, and key properties—including higher heating value (HHV), durability, bulk density, equilibrium moisture content, and water absorption behavior—were evaluated. Results showed that increasing RDF content improved the HHV, reaching a maximum of 17.40 ± 1.06 MJ/kg at 50 wt% RDF. However, higher RDF proportions reduced durability (lowest at 93.34 ± 2.63%) and bulk density (545.09 ± 31.85 kg/m³). Equilibrium moisture content also decreased with more RDF, reaching a minimum of 12.87 ± 1.62% (dry basis). Notably, RDF addition enhanced water resistance by reducing pellet disintegration during immersion. These findings highlight a promising strategy for converting agricultural residues and municipal waste into high-quality solid biofuels with enhanced energy content, water resistance, and reduced moisture sensitivity. The integration of rice straw and RDF offers a sustainable solution for waste valorization, supporting both environmental protection and the development of decentralized renewable energy systems.

Keywords


biomass pellets, fuel properties, refuse-derived fuel (RDF), rice straw

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.64289/iej.25.03A11.3464658