Energetic and economic analysis of biomass briquettes production from agricultural residues

This paper aims to analyse the energy consumption and economic viability of biomass briquettes production from agricultural residues. The work focus on briquetting conversion of coconut shells, rattan waste, sugarcane bagasse and banana peels based on a small-scale production plant located in Cameroon. Balance energy shows that the useful energy, mainly consumed during the briquetting process, is mechanical and thermal energy. Rattan waste, coconut shells, sugarcane bagasse, and banana peels briquettes need 0.78 kWh/kg, 0.75 kWh/kg, 1.46 kWh/kg, and 2.60 kWh/kg of primary energy, respectively. Economic analysis was carried out of 20 years’ span. The manufacturing cost is comprised mainly by the labour cost of the employees, which stands for about the 30% of total expenses, following the expenses for the gasoil (10–16% of total expenses). Net Present Values for rattan waste, coconut shells, sugarcane bagasse, and banana peel briquetting systems were discovered to be 66,526€; 67,189€; −34,317€; and −44,932€, respectively. The economic viability of the briquette production is sensitive to briquette market price, discount rate and capital cost. In conclusion, briquettes production from crop residues could be economically benefited by adopting suitable strategies in Cameroon and in any developing country.