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Environ Eng Res > Volume 27(4); 2022 > Article
Kim, Park, and Hong: Heating and emission characteristics of briquettes developed from spent coffee grounds

Abstract

The development of biomass fuels to replace fossil fuels is on the rise, with increased bioenergy research on spent coffee grounds (SCG). However, no biofuel can currently replace anthracite briquettes. Unlike ordinary solid fossil fuels, anthracite briquettes are heated for a long time and retain the same form after combustion, making them easier to transport. In this study, binders are used to develop a solid fuel that allows SCG to retain their shape after combustion. Specifically, bottom ash (BA) and kaolinite clay (KC) are mixed in different ratios then processed with a press machine and cured to produce briquettes that exhibit zero damage, even after combustion. The results show that the optimal composition for SGC briquette production according to fuel quality and ash shape retention is 20 wt.% SCG; 71 wt.% BA; 9 wt.% KC; and 15 wt.% solution with a 20:1 water/Ca(OH)2 mixing ratio. This results in a low heating value of 15.8 MJ/kg, 86.82% durability before combustion, and 99.46% durability after combustion. In addition, combustion tests with SCG briquettes confirmed their potential as an environmentally friendly alternative fuel to anthracite briquettes.

1. Introduction

Coal combustion emits harmful gases such as NO2, SO2, CO2, and CO [1]. While efforts have been made to reduce the emission of harmful gases during industrial coal consumption, the coefficient of pollutant emissions produced by burning household coal may be 100 times higher than that produced by power plant coal boilers [2]. Moreover, it is expected that the demand for anthracite briquettes will continue for decades due to their low unit cost and ease of use in greenhouse complexes and rural areas [3, 4]. However, anthracite briquettes are frequently linked to carbon monoxide poisoning due to the high CO concentration in the combustion engine [1]. To solve these problems, it is necessary to find renewable sources of energy that can replace fossil fuels. Among them, spent coffee grounds (SCG) have been the subject of various studies into types of biodiesel and pellets, which have indicated their potential as biofuel [58].
In 2021, coffee consumed about 9.99 million tons worldwide and is the second most consumed product after petroleum [9]. A ton of coffee beans created about 650 kg of SCG [1012] and 6.49 million tons of SCG are created in 2021. Large-capacity of SCGs that were occurred every day around the world are low in market value, lack of effective treatment methods and landfill disposal, the current major treatment method, is causing many environmental problems [13, 14].
To use SCG as a solid fuel, problems related to their high moisture content, irregular particle size and shape, and low density must first be solved as these problems affect handling, transportation, storage, and utilization [1517]. Binders can be used to improve drying, carbonation, grinding, particle linespecific operations, adhesion, and compressive strength [1820]. In addition, SCG do not form ash after combustion because of their low ash content, making it difficult to replace the briquettes when used as an alternative fuel for anthracite briquettes. In order to utilize SCG as a renewable alternative fuel to anthracite briquettes, the quality standards of anthracite briquettes (Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy No. 17) and Bio-SRF (Ministry of Environment Examination No. 20) must be satisfied, which requires the use of binders to manufacture heat generation characteristics similar to those of anthracite briquettes [21, 22].
Coal ash is generated during coal-fired power generation, with 80% of fly ash (FA) and 20% bottom ash (BA) [23, 24]. Among them, BA contains unburned carbon (non-burned carbon) and is not suitable for recycling because of problems such as turning the concrete black or reduced strength when used as a construction material [25]. However, BA contains more calories than FA, which could enable solid fuel utilization. In addition, the SiO2+Al2O3+Fe2O3 in BA contains approximately 80 wt.% of pozolane, which can be cured at temperatures of 20–85°C, confirming the possibility of recycling BA as a material for SCG briquette manufacturing [2628].
Kaolinite clay (KC) is a clay material widely used for many purposes, such as ceramics, paper coating, paper filling, paint extenders, rubber filler, plastic fillers, cracking catalysts, and contracts [29, 30]. KC exhibits adhesion in response to water and can be used to maintain the shape of briquettes after combustion owing to its properties of curing and turning white at high temperatures [31].
Recently, many studies have analyzed SCG characteristics for energy use in boiler systems [32, 33] and the use of binders to increase SCG durability [34]. Kang et al. [35] investigated SCG combustion characteristics in a small boiler system (6.5 kW based on the input low heating value (LHV)). A higher nitrogen content in the SCG led to higher NOx emissions during combustion compared to wood pellets, which requires a more precise boiler design to ensure adequate efficiency and emission performance [35]. Moreover, Law et al. [36] selected rice husk, sugarcane bagasse, and SCG as raw materials for manufacturing briquettes. The mechanical properties of the briquettes were measured in terms of their shatter retention, abrasive retention, water retention, etc., and were found to be effectively improved from that of pure SCG by the inclusion of rice husk and sugarcane bagasse. Espuelas et al. [18] analyzed the availability of SCG used in briquette production with xanthan and guar as binders. The binders reduced volatile matter, increased the fixed carbon content, and reduced the nitrogen content. However, there have been no attempts to manufacture briquettes using SCG as a replacement for anthracite, and no studies have been conducted on the use and characteristics of binders that can replicate the properties of anthracite.
Therefore, the biomass briquettes with coffee as the main ingredient in an attempt to find a suitable replacement for existing anthracite briquettes were manufactured in this study. Evaluate the potential of the SCG as an alternative fuel and determine optimal manufacturing conditions.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Materials

SCG were dried for 24 h at 105°C in a dry oven, then immediately heated and carbonized for 50 min at 290°C in a stirrup roaster. BA and KC were transported to JAEIL (JAE-IL INSTREMENT COMPANY, Korea) and dried for 24 h at 55°C in a dry oven. Samples were stored in a sealed container until the next step.

2.2. Conditions for SCG Briquette Production

Crushed carbonated SCG, BA, and KC, and scoured particles smaller than 175 μm (after mesh screening) were mixed in five different ratios, as shown in Table S1, so that the weight of each specimen was 10 kg. A water and Ca(OH)2 solution in a ratio of 20:1 was added to each mixture to represent 15 wt.% [3739]. The solution was added and mixed for 10 min. Each specimen was molded without heating at a compression pressure of 20 MPa to a shape 150 mm in diameter and 142 mm in height with 22 air holes (D = 14 mm) using a briquette molding presser typically used to mold anthracite into briquettes [40].

2.3. Briquette Combustion

Combustion tests of SCG briquettes and anthracite briquettes were conducted simultaneously with ignition coals which have 20 min combustion time, through a boiler (TH 180, TAEHYUNG INDUSTRY CO., LTD, Korea). For each test, one SCG briquette and one Anthracite briquette were burned in the boiler. At this time, the ambient air temperature was 10–12°C and the oxygen saturation concentration was 13%. Each briquette was burned until it could be heated no longer.

2.4. Analysis of SCG Briquettes

The briquettes should maintain their shape after molding and should have sufficient durability for transport. In addition, because it is a solid fuel that can be used in domestic or horticultural briquette boilers, the ash should be cured after combustion and maintained in its original form, enabling post-treatment for briquette removal. The briquettes in this study are formed by mixing BA and KC in a carbonated SCG mixing ratio of 20–70%. Measurements of SCG briquette durability, LHV, heating time, CO, CO2, NO2, and SO2 are then compared with those for anthracite briquettes to evaluate the potential of SCG as an alternative fuel and determine the optimal manufacturing conditions. The physical and chemical characteristics of the manufactured SCG briquettes, such as volatile matter, ash content, and sulfur content, are also analyzed.
The compressive force was measured for hardness analysis before and after combustion of the five different SCG briquettes and anthracite briquettes. The center of the outer diameter was measured by laying the cylinder shaped bracket flat, and the spherical probe (D = 8 mm) of the ultrasonic thickness measurement device (LTCM-100, Ametek, USA) was lowered at a speed of 35 mm/s to measure three samples for each bracket.
To measure the combustion time of SCG briquettes and anthracite briquettes, the temperature of the briquettes burned in briquette boilers was measured using a thermal imaging camera (Fluke Ti 105, Fluke, USA). The combustion time was measured as the time from the point of ignition to the time when the briquette temperature dropped below 800°C.
Combustion gas generated two hours after ignition of the briquette samples was collected in a multilayer 10 L foil bag (Foil Bag 10, SANT Nano Technology, Korea) using a gas collector (Gas Collector 10, SANT Nano Technology, Rep. Korea). The amounts of CO, H2S, CO2, SO2, and NO2 contained in the collected gas were measured by a CO and H2S meter (VENTIS MX4, Industrial Scientific, USA), a CO2 meter (IAQ-CALCTM, TSI, USA), an SO2 meter (MINIMAX XP-SO2, Honeywell, USAX), and an NO2 meter (MINIMAX XP-NO2, Honeywell, USA), respectively.
The properties of the briquettes before combustion and the water content, LHV, carbon content, sulfur content, and ash content generated after combustion were analyzed according to analysis standards [21, 22].

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Durability of the SCG Briquettes

Compared to the average compressive strength of briquettes made of anthracite (570 N), the average compressive power of the briquettes containing 20–50 wt.% SCG was 14% lower at 488–494 N, whereas that of briquettes containing 60–70 wt.% SCG was 50.8% lower at 280 N (Fig. 1). Analysis of the compressive strength of briquettes after combustion showed an average compressive force of 46 N, 45 N, and 22–25 N for briquettes made of anthracite, 20–30 wt.% SCG, and 50 wt.% SCG, respectively (Fig. 1).
One-way distribution analysis of the measured compression force according to SCG content showed the highest value for anthracite briquettes before combustion, followed by 20 wt.% SCG, 30 wt.% SCG, and 50 wt.% SCG briquettes, then 60 wt.% SCG and 70 wt.% SCG briquettes. The F value was 589.343 and the P value was 0.000, indicating a significant difference in briquette durability due to SCG content. The average post-combustion force values were similar for anthracite, 20 wt.% SCG, and 30 wt.% SCG briquettes, which were double those of 60 wt.% SCG briquettes and 70 wt.% SCG briquettes. However, the range of average error in the measurement of the compression force of post-combustion ash was large, resulting in all briquettes falling in the same group (except for 70 wt.% SCG briquettes). The value of F was 3.307, and the value of P was 0.042, indicating that the variation in briquette durability with SCG content was significant.
Biomass is characterized by a large amount of volatile matter, low ash, low density, and a low heating value [41]. The hydrocarbon process could improve the high heating value by up to 38% [42]. Tsai and Liu [43] found that the maximum true density of SCG was approximately 1.332 g/cm3, with the carbonation temperature decreasing to approximately 289.85°C (563 K). This is due to the process of releasing gasoline from the SCG hole, which results in an increase in density of up to 1.274 g/cm3, which can increase the density of the SCG if sufficient carbonation is achieved.
The selected BA and KC materials contained 80% SiO2+Al2O3+Fe2O3 because adhesion is important when water or hardening agents are added. The BA composed of SiO2 and Al2O3 was cured using water and Ca(OH)2 [4446]. In addition, KC, which exhibits adhesion in response to water and becomes hard and white at high temperatures, allows the formation of ash after combustion [31].
The SCG briquettes exhibited reduced compressive strength as the ratio of SCG increased because the particles in SCG are less dense than those in BA, KC, and anthracite (Fig. 1). Low particle density appears to increase the pore rate between particles during the compression process and reduce density, thereby reducing the durability and compressive strength [47]. When burning briquettes were removed from the stove with briquette tongs, the anthracite, 20 wt.% SCG, and 30 wt.% SCG briquettes were not broken; however, those with SCG contents greater than 50 wt.% were broken. Post-combustion compressive force data of the SCG briquettes suggest that those with an SCG content of 50% or more are inadequate for use as briquettes because they are not sufficiently durable (Fig. 1). For pre-combustion 50 wt.% SCG samples, there was minimal difference in compression strength from the 20–30 wt.% SCG samples; however, the post-combustion compressive strength of 50 wt.% SCG samples was similar to that of 60–70 wt.% SCG samples.

3.2. Physicochemical Properties of the SCG Briquettes

In order to actually use a briquette made with biomass, appropriate physical and chemical standards must be met. Table 1 presents an analysis of the physical and chemical characteristics of SCG briquettes according to SCG content. The sulfur content and water content of SCG briquettes satisfied both the Quality of Trade (Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy No. 17) and Solid Refuse Fuel (SRF) quality standards (Minister of Environment Examination No. 20).
Volatile matter was below 7.0% quality standard of anthracite briquettes because coal with high N and S is oxidized, resulting in harmful NO2 and SO2 emissions. However, the combustion of SCG mixed with coal fuel results in not only low nitrogen content biomass material but also an effective method of reducing NOx emissions due to the synergistic effects on combustion, which requires usability verification through harmful gas testing of more than 7.0% of the volume matter [48]. The ash content was higher than the SRF quality standard; therefore, it did not satisfy the quality standard. However, the higher the ash content, the more stable the shape of the briquette. Moreover, it is desirable to follow anthracite briquette specifications because the SCG briquette is an existing briquette boiler that uses anthracite briquettes as fuel. In the case of LHV, the anthracite briquette quality standard was not satisfied except for briquettes with an SCG content of 70 wt.%. However, the SRF quality standard was satisfied; therefore, the developed briquettes have value as a solid fuel.

3.3. Combustion Characteristics of the SCG Briquettes

Fig. 2 shows the LHV according to SCG content for anthracite and SCG briquettes. The LHV of anthracite briquettes was 18.4 MJ/kg, whereas that of SCG briquettes increased with increasing SCG content. An increase in the ratio of SCG, which has a high calorific value of 28.4 MJ/Kg, also increased the calorific value of the SCG briquette. If necessary, the calorific value can be adjusted by varying the SCG content. The LHVs of briquettes with 20 wt.% SCG and 30 wt.% SCG were similar at 15.8 MJ/kg. The briquette with 70 wt.% SCG had the highest LHV of 19.7 MJ/kg, followed by that with 60 wt.% SCG (17.1 MJ/kg) and 50 wt.% SCG (16.8 MJ/kg).
According to a biomass boiler operation experiment conducted by Fournel et al. [54], the LHVs of pelletized biomass solid fuels such as wood, short-rotation willow, switchgrass, miscanthus, and reed canary grass are 14.3–16.3 MJ/kg, with an average of 15.2 MJ/kg. Among the SCG briquettes, the briquette with 20 wt.% SCG had the lowest LHV of 15.8 MJ/kg; however, this was still higher than the average LHV of a typical biomass fuel, which is 15.2 MJ/kg.
Fig. 3 shows the duration of heat generation for the briquettes according to SCG content for anthracite and SCG briquettes. Anthracite briquettes molded at 2.9 kg had the longest combustion time of 570 min. Among SCG briquettes molded at 2.4 kg, 20 wt.% SCG briquettes exhibited the longest combustion time of 555 min. As the content of SCG in the briquette increased, the combustion time tended to decrease. Anthracite briquettes and 20 wt.% SCG briquettes belonged to group a, 30 wt.% SCG briquettes belonged to group b, 50 wt.% SCG briquettes belonged to group c, 60 wt.% SCG briquettes belonged to group d, and 70 wt.% SCG briquettes belonged to group e. The F value was 213.355 and the P value was 0.000, indicating a significant difference in combustion time according to SCG content.
According to a study by Kim et al. [50], when looking at the reaction characteristics of pulverized coal, BA, and FA using a drop tube furnace, no significant differences were observed among samples in terms of the conversion rate, activation frequency, or activation energy. Based on these results, it was determined that a mixing rate of approximately 10% under the conditions of a short residence time and high heating rate (similar to an actual combustion state) did not significantly affect the combustion reactivity. The BA and FA from a thermal power plant could be used as mixed renewable fuels by mixing them with existing pulverized coal, and the co-consumption rate could be increased depending on the actual thermal power plant operating conditions and ash properties [50]. Therefore, the combustion stability of SCG briquettes is expected to increase with increasing BA content in the SCG briquette.

3.4. Harmful gas Emission Analysis

The air pollutant emission standards (Article 15 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Air Conservation Act, Ministry of Environment Decree No. 866, 2020), which were revised and effective from April 2020 and apply to CO, CO2, NO2, SO2, dust, etc., provide the criteria for general boilers, power generation facilities, manufacturing and refining facilities, waste, waste gas, and incineration facilities. With a general boiler, the CO emission limit is less than 50–300 ppm in solid fuel facilities, less than 300 ppm for SRF, and less than 200 ppm for biomass. NO2 emissions are limited to less than 70–120 ppm, and SO2 emissions should be less than 70–180 ppm [51]. In order to meet these emission limits, various studies have been conducted on the combustion methods, treatment, and discharge of waste gases.
Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show the concentrations of CO and CO2 measured by collecting the gas discharged during combustion of briquettes according to the SCG content. For anthracite briquettes, the CO and CO2 concentrations were 995 ppm (13% O2) and 2,900 ppm (13% O2), respectively. For SCG briquettes, the CO and CO2 concentrations were 8–48 ppm (13% O2) and 929–2,180 ppm (13% O2), respectively.
According to Obernberger et al. [52], incomplete combustion of briquettes leads to the release of unburned carbon-based pollutants such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, tar, and soot. Therefore, the lower concentrations of CO and CO2 from the SCG briquettes suggest that the SCG briquettes burn more completely than anthracite briquettes. In addition, even among SCG briquettes, a higher SCG content leads to fewer CO and CO2 gas emissions (Fig. 4 and Fig. 5).
In the case of SCG briquette, 46.1–54.9 wt.% of carbon content, was measured to be less carbon content then anthracite briquette, 75.23 wt.% of carbon content (Table S2), indicating less CO and CO2 were discharged from combustion [46, 53].
In general, biomass generates pollutants such as NOx, SOx, and particles during combustion because of fuel components including N, K, Cl, Ca, Na, Mg, P, and S [54]. These pollutants not only directly irritate the human respiratory tract, causing inflammation and damage, but also indirectly trigger photochemical smog reactions. Considering the effects of NOx and SOx on the human body, NO2 causes more damage to the human body than NO [5456].
Fig. 6 shows the concentration of NO2 generated during the combustion of anthracite and SCG briquettes according to SCG content. After combustion, the NO2 concentration in anthracite briquettes was as low as 2.2 ppm (13% O2). Conversely, the NO2 concentration was 3.7 ppm for the briquette with 20 wt.% SCG, which was higher than that generated by the anthracite briquettes. The NO2 concentration gradually decreased to 1.3, 1.2, 1.0, and 0.7 ppm for the briquettes with 30–70 wt.% SCG, indicating a decrease in NO2 generation with increasing SCG content.
According to Nussbaumer [57], during the combustion process, the nitrogen fuel component is converted into N2 and NOx, with very small amounts of NO2 present in the combustion gases generated from recent biomass solid fuels. The fuel N content is responsible for NOx formation (Table S2). The amount of NO2 emitted from the SCG briquettes used in this study was also low, demonstrating combustion characteristics similar to those of recent biomass solid fuels (Fig. 6). NOx is formed by the reaction of N in air at temperatures above 1,300°C. As the temperature increases, the amount of NOx generation increases [52]. As biomass solid fuels such as SCG briquettes have a temperature of approximately 800–1,200°C during combustion, they tend to have a relatively low NO2 concentration.
Fig. 7 shows the concentration of SO2 generated during the combustion of anthracite and SCG briquettes according to SCG content. For anthracite briquettes, the amount of SO2 generated was as low as 6.4 ppm (13% O2). This seems to be the result of anthracite briquette manufacturing regulations that keep volatile substances to less than 7.0 wt.% and sulfur to less than 1.0 wt.%. For 20 wt.% SCG briquettes, the amount of SO2 generated was 6.8 ppm (13% O2), which was higher than that of anthracite briquettes. This was because the sulfur content of the SCG briquettes exceeded the 7.0 wt.% limit set by the regulations for briquettes. However, for the briquettes with 30–70 wt.% SCG, the SO2 concentration gradually decreased to 5.8, 4.7, 2.2, and 1.4 ppm (13% O2), respectively, as the sulfur content decreased, despite the volatile substance content exceeding the 7.0 wt.% limit.

4. Conclusions

This study evaluated the potential for replacing anthracite briquettes with briquettes made using SCG, a biomass raw material. Considering the fuel quality and shape retention of the briquettes, the optimal SCG briquette was one with an SCG content of 20 wt.%, a BA content of 71 wt.%, a KC content of 9 wt.%, and a 15 wt.% moisture content adjusted by adding a moisture additive with a 20:1 water/Ca(OH)2 mixing ratio. This briquette exhibited a durability of 86% before combustion and 99.46% after combustion and an LHV of 15.8 MJ/k. Analysis of the physicochemical properties of the SCG briquette and combustion tests using a briquette boiler confirmed the potential of this SCG briquette as an alternative fuel to anthracite briquettes.
Compared to anthracite briquettes, the SCG briquette has lower durability. However, the durability is sufficient for use in existing briquette boilers. In addition, an increased SCG content resulted in greater heat generation and a lower combustion time. Anthracite briquettes exhibit higher CO and CO2 emissions due to incomplete combustion. Moreover, the combustion rate of SCG briquettes increased as the SCG content increased, reducing emissions. NO2 and SO2 emissions related to BA and KC contents were higher in briquettes with 20% SCG than in anthracite briquettes; however, emissions were still significantly lower than the emission threshold. In conclusion, SCG briquettes have substantial economic value with a small environmental footprint, making them a promising alternative to anthracite briquette fuels.

Supplementary Information

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE), Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) through the Community Business Activation Program (Development of Eco Innovation System and Product using coffee waste, P0008723).

Notes

Author Contributions

Y.S.K. (Ph.D. student) conducted conceptualization, methodology, formal analysis, investigation, data curation, and writing—original draft. T.S.P. (Assistant Professor) conducted investigation, methodology, validation, and writing—review and editing. D.H.H. (Research Professor) conducted conceptualization, methodology, resources, visualization, supervision, funding acquisition, and writing—review and editing. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

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Fig. 1
Durability of anthracite briquettes (AB) and SCG briquettes before and after combustion.
/upload/thumbnails/eer-2021-063f1.gif
Fig. 2
LHV according to SCG content for anthracite and SCG briquettes.
/upload/thumbnails/eer-2021-063f2.gif
Fig. 3
Combustion time according to SCG content for anthracite and SCG briquettes.
/upload/thumbnails/eer-2021-063f3.gif
Fig. 4
CO concentration according to SCG content (13% O2) for anthracite and SCG briquettes.
/upload/thumbnails/eer-2021-063f4.gif
Fig. 5
CO2 concentration according to SCG content (13% O2) for anthracite and SCG briquettes.
/upload/thumbnails/eer-2021-063f5.gif
Fig. 6
NO2 concentration according to SCG content (13% O2) for anthracite and SCG briquettes.
/upload/thumbnails/eer-2021-063f6.gif
Fig. 7
SO2 concentration according to SCG content (13% O2) for anthracite and SCG briquettes.
/upload/thumbnails/eer-2021-063f7.gif
Table 1
Physicochemical Properties of SCG Briquettes Compared with Briquette and SRF Quality Standards
Specification Unit AB quality standard SRF quality standard SCG briquette (wt.%)

20 30 50 60 70
Volatile matter % < 7.0 - 10.2 10.8 11.5 17.9 16.7
Water content wt.% - ≤ 10 1.2 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.6
Ash content wt.% - ≤ 20 47.5 46.1 44.2 40.5 32.4
Lower heating value MJ/kg 18.4 14.6 15.8 15.7 16.8 17.1 19.7
Sulfur content wt.% < 1.0 ≤ 0.6 0.22 0.19 0.14 0.07 0.05
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