Utilization of Lignin from Waste Degumming Liquor as Fuel Additive and Binder in Sugarcane Bagasse Briquettes

Abstract:

As the world shifts from a fossil-based to bio-based economy, energy production via the valorization of biomass residues is promising. However, raw biomass utilization for energy production proves to be challenging owing to their low bulk densities and hygroscopic nature. These problems are addressed through briquetting. This work focuses on the utilization of sugarcane bagasse (SCB) – an abundant agricultural residue in the Philippines – with lignin as a binder for solid fuel briquettes. The effects of SCB-to-lignin ratio and compaction pressure on the fuel characteristics and quality of the briquette were investigated. Briquetting experiments were carried out in a Carver press at a constant pressing temperature of 150°C and varying compaction pressures (CP = 5, 8 and 11 MPa) and binder content (BC = 4, 8 and 12%). Briquetting of SCB resulted in an increase in bulk density by 7 to 8 times (0.817 ± 0.006 - 0.974 ± 0.029 g/cm³) compared to loose SCB (0.110 ± 0.000 g/cm³). From ANOVA, it was found out that CP significantly affects bulk density (p < 0.05). The higher heating value (HHV) and compressive strength (CS) rose to as high as 19.7 ± 0.1 MJ/kg_db, and 113.14 ± 2.81 MPa, respectively. It was found out that BC significantly affects the HHV (p < 0.05) but has an insignificant effect on the CS (p > 0.05) while CP has insignificant effects on both HHV and CS (p > 0.05). Overall, SCB-lignin briquettes are able to overcome storage and handling challenges through improved bulk density, stacking capability of up to ~550,000 briquettes at the lowest achieved CS, retarded moisture uptake rate (0.0611 ± 0.0017 wt% per hr) and an equilibrium moisture content of 8.02 ± 0.15 wt%, making this fuel viable for domestic usage as determined by current briquetting standards.

• Periodical: Engineering Innovations (Volume 16)
• Pages: 11-36
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-4kSdat
• Online since: January 2026
• Authors: Ian Dominic F. Tabañag*, Lou Janssen L. Calotes, Josef Dante A. Dumalagan, John Zephaniel L. Merecido, Luis K. Cabatingan
• Keywords: Binder, Briquette Quality, Briquetting, Lignin, Sugarcane Bagasse

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