Development and evaluation of a screw press briquetting machine for biomass fuel production

The rising global energy demand presents a significant challenge, particularly as the world population continues to grow. To address this, sustainable energy solutions such as renewable technologies are crucial. In India, biomass—primarily used in the form of wood and charcoal—remains a key energy source, especially in rural areas. However, this reliance on traditional fuels has led to widespread deforestation. Biomass briquettes, made from agricultural waste, offer a viable alternative. This research focuses on the design and development of a motor-operated briquetting machine, created to produce up to 1,020 briquettes per hour with a feed rate of 130 kg/h. Various biomass mixtures, including sawdust, rice husk, and cow dung, were tested to evaluate the machine’s performance. The B2 mixture (20:05:40 ratio of sawdust, rice husk, and cow dung) produced the longest briquettes, while B3 exhibited the highest compressed density of 1.24 g/cm³. The cost of briquette production was lowest for the B1 mixture. This study demonstrates that motor-operated briquetting machines can contribute to more sustainable fuel options, reducing the need for traditional wood and charcoal fuels.