Abstract:

This study examined the utilization of residues from the production of hazelnuts as a source of biofuel. The residues were briquetted using a hydraulic briquetting machine with a horizontal course. Solid cylindrical briquettes were produced with two different compression pressures (P: 80 MPa and 160 MPa), moisture contents (M: 8%-10% and 13%-15%) and particle sizes (PS: 2-5 mm and 7-10 mm). Physical properties (bulk density, tumbler and shatter indexes, water absorption capacity, moisture and equivalent humidity contents) and thermal properties (gas emission values after combustion, ash content and calorific values) of the briquettes were measured. The study found an optimum briquetting pressure of 160 MPa, optimum moisture content of 8%-10%, and optimum particle size of 2-5 mm for hazelnut husk agricultural residues. The study gave promising results and proved that the idle residue potential in agriculture could be utilized for green energy.

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