Experimental Study of the Pressure Agglomeration Process of Coal and Plant-Based Waste

The aim of the research was to examine the pressure agglomeration process of agri-biomass waste ie. straw with an additive of 20% hard coal. The analyzed parameters included as independent variables the process temperature and the moisture content of the substrate mixture. During the experiment there were examined the maximum densifying pressures and the obtained granule density. The study of the agglomeration process was carried out on a laboratory stand SS-3 (open chamber). The process took place at temperatures of 30, 50, 70, 90°C and the moisture contents of the fuel mixture were 15, 20, 25%. During the test, a sample of 0.6 g was poured into the thickening chamber where, as a result of the piston movement, they were compacted. The high maxiumum densifying pressures (approx. 30 MPa in process temperature of 30°C) obtained while the thickening of straw mixture with 20% of coal indicate a low compaction ability of the material. Increasing the humidity of the compacted coal straw from 15 to 25% caused a decrease in the maximum thickening pressures, compaction and density. The highest density (1149 kg·m^-3) was obtained at 20% material humidity and process temperature of 30°C.