Production and utilization of fuel pellets from biomass: A review

• Published in: Fuel processing technology Vol. 181; pp. 215 - 232
• Main Authors: Pradhan, Priyabrata, Mahajani, Sanjay M., Arora, Amit
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.12.2018; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Biodiesel fuels; Bioenergy; Biomass; Biomass energy; Energy utilization; Feasibility studies; Fuel pellets; Fuels; Pelletization; Pellets; Process parameters; Renewable energy; State-of-the-art reviews; Utilization; Pelletization; Energy utilization; Bioenergy; Biomass; Fuel pellets
• ISSN: 0378-3820; 1873-7188
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuproc.2018.09.021

Bioenergy is the largest contributor of global renewables, simultaneously providing energy security to billions and stimulates rural development. The growing industrial demand of wood pellets for bioenergy coupled with sustainability issue have encouraged many to produce fuel pellets from non-woody biomass. The production and utilization of fuel pellets from varied feedstocks have therefore opened up opportunities and challenges for the existing technologies. The paper presents a state-of-the-art review on production and utilization of fuel pellets from biomass. This includes different aspects of pellet making process including pre-possessing of biomass for pelletization, influence of process parameters on pellet quality and various ways to utilize pellets. Finally the review ends with a discussion on the economic feasibility of fuel pellets for energy utilization. [Display omitted] •Review of biomass fuel pellets production has been presented comprehensively.•Main emphasis is on review of technical parameters of pelletization.•Fuel pellets applications in different areas have been discussed.•Techno-economic feasibility of pellets and recent patents has been reviewed.