Common Reed as a Renewable Energy Resource for Pellet Production

Abstract

Renewable reed biomass has traditionally been used for various purposes. Currently, an energy-dependent society is returning to the use of natural energy sources. The paper is devoted to the study of reed reserves in the Lower Volga region, production technology, and quality assessment of pellets from it. Reed mowing with further production of fuel pellets from biomass will not only provide the local population or small enterprises with energy but also solve a number of environmental problems. The main environmental problem is the high fire hazard of reed beds. The main characteristics of the pellets that have been investigated by the authors are humidity, ash content, calorific value, and the composition of the ash residue. When granulating shredded cormophytic biomass, the main process parameter affecting the fuel pellet quality is the moisture content of the raw materials, which has been determined experimentally. To improve the consumer properties of the granules, binders were also experimentally selected. Binders should not reduce the calorific value and impair the composition of the ash residue