Biomass waste source for biocoke production

Problem statement

The depletion of fossil fuels, national energy security, climate change, uncertain energy prices, and the energy carbon footprint of the industry has become comprehensive issues. Hence, attention to finding alternative energy becomes a must. Efforts to utilize and synthesize renewable energy sources have been reported from several developing countries and small islands worldwide. Developments with expertise carried out by several countries are very progressive, especially for solar and wind energy generation. Meanwhile, using existing technologies, biomass raw materials from renewable energy sources can be converted into renewable energy generators.

Executive summary

Using biomass waste for renewable energy and sustainable fuel production has gained significant attention recently. In this sector, potential biomass waste sources for biocoke production in Indonesia is proposed. Biocoke, a form of solid fuel derived from biomass, has emerged as a viable alternative to traditional coke in various industrial applications, including steelmaking. Biomass availability, sustainability, energy content, and compatibility with biocoke production processes are analysed.
Agricultural residues, such as rice straw, corn stalks, and palm oil residues, are identified as promising feedstocks due to their abundance and availability throughout the country. Moreover, biomass waste can contribute to waste management and alleviate environmental concerns associated with open burning and landfilling.

Technology description

Biocoke solid fuel is a sustainable biomass derivative having low sulfur properties, affordable availability and an economically-efficient production process (Huang et al., 2016a,b). Biocoke, also known as biomass coke or green coke, is a type of solid fuel derived from renewable biomass sources. It is commonly used as a substitute for traditional petroleum-based coke in various industrial processes, particularly in the steel and iron industries.
Typical biomass feedstocks include wood chips, sawdust or wood pellets. Crop residues and by-products from agricultural activities can also serve as raw materials. These include straw, rice husks, corn stalks, sugarcane bagasse, peanut shells, coconut shells and olive pits. The biomass feedstock is typically subjected to a thermal treatment process called pyrolysis, where it is heated without oxygen. The resulting biocoke can then be used as a fuel or reducing agent in industrial applications.

Market deployment considerations

Environmental considerations