Turning waste sawdust into valuable biochar briquettes is an increasingly popular solution for both waste reduction and clean energy production. Charcoal extruder equipment plays a vital role in this process, enabling efficient and consistent briquette shaping. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to operate this equipment and optimize production.
Step 1: Prepare the Sawdust Feedstock
Before using the charcoal extruder, it’s essential to ensure that the raw material—sawdust—is properly prepared. The ideal moisture content of sawdust for briquette production is around 8–12%. If the sawdust is too wet, it will produce poor-quality briquettes and damage the machine. A rotary drum dryer or airflow dryer can help reduce the moisture content to the desired level.
Step 2: Carbonization (Optional for Biochar)
If your goal is to produce biochar briquettes, you’ll need to carbonize the sawdust before extrusion. This can be done using a continuous carbonization furnace (also called a biochar kiln), where the sawdust is heated in an oxygen-limited environment to convert it into char. Once cooled, the char should be ground into a fine powder before feeding into the extruder.
Step 3: Mixing and Binding
Although some extruders can work without binders, adding a small amount of starch or other natural binder (typically 3–5%) can improve briquette strength and shaping. Mix the binder evenly with the carbonized sawdust powder to form a consistent mixture. This step is essential for durable, high-density briquettes.
Step 4: Feeding the Charcoal Extruder
Now, feed the prepared mixture into the hopper of the charcoal briquette extruder. This machine uses a screw-type mechanism to compress and extrude the material through a mold, forming briquettes in your desired shape—usually cylindrical or hexagonal. Make sure to select the proper mold size based on your market needs.
Step 5: Cooling and Packaging
The freshly extruded briquettes are hot and fragile. Use a cooling conveyor or let them air-dry before packing. Once cooled and hardened, the biochar briquettes can be packed in bags or boxes for storage, transportation, or sale.
Final Tips for Efficient Production
- Regularly clean and inspect the machine to avoid clogging or excessive wear.
- Use high-quality molds and monitor temperature and pressure for optimal extrusion.
- Maintain a consistent feedstock quality to ensure uniform briquettes.
Visiting: https://www.char-molder.com/2024/06/15/how-to-make-charcoal-briquettes-from-sawdust-in-kenya/
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