Biomass pellets from densification of tree leaf waste with algae

Abstract

Fallen tree leaves in urban or public areas are usually discarded or accumulated and piled in open spaces where blockages of drainage or accidental fire can occur, causing damages to public properties and the environment. These tree leaves are seasonally available biomass residues that may potentially be substituted or mixed with wood to produce biomass pellets. In this work, densification of eucalyptus and teak leaf waste was carried out using a cylindrical die. Several influential operating factors (temperature of 30 and 80^oC, pressure of 100, 150 and 200 MPa, and addition of algae as binding agent at 10 to 20% w/w) were investigated with respect to mechanical properties of the biomass pellets such as mass and energy densities, and compressive strength. From the findings, the tree leaf waste was shown to have good pelletizing behavior under the conditions considered. Properties of the densified products appeared to be comparable to marketed wood pellets.