STRUCTURAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL DESIGN OF THE PRESSED FUEL PRODUCTION PROCESS

A critical analysis of the state and development prospects of the structural and technological design of the pressed fuel production process: biofuel, solid fossil fuel or their mixtures was performed. A detailed classification of presses for obtaining pressed fuel, in particular fuel briquettes and pellets, is proposed. The most interesting designs of these presses, proposed by scientists, designers and inventors of the leading countries of the world, are considered. The structural and technological design of the pressed fuel production process is analyzed depending on the nature of pressing in time, the degree of closure of the forming cavity, the nature of the movement of the working body (working bodies), the number of simultaneously pressed fuel elements, the possibility of adjusting the thermal regime, as well as the degree of mobility. It is shown that, despite the significant variety of designs of press equipment, screw and drum presses that are relatively difficult to manufacture, but highly productive and versatile in terms of processed raw materials and the standard size of the received pressed fuel, have become the most widespread. Roll, plunger and roller presses are also quite effective, but their use is limited to smaller technological capabilities than screw and drum presses, primarily the standard dimensions of the pressed fuel. At the same time, in the process of developing equipment for obtaining pressed fuel, certain technical solutions can be partially or completely borrowed from the designs of equipment for pressing oil raw materials, granulation of compound feed for animal husbandry and poultry farming, as well as processing of polymer materials. The modern concept of the circular economy, which consists in achieving synergy between the economy, society and the environment, is extremely relevant, and not the last factor in its implementation can be the efficient production and consumption of compressed fuel for the generation of thermal and electrical energy. Bibl. 66, Fig. 26.