Evaluation of thermal and mechanical properties of briquettes produced from leather waste

• Grant number: 18/20569-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2019
• End date: December 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Thermal Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Renivaldo José dos Santos
• Grantee: Pedro Henrique Mariano Santos
• Host Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rosana. Rosana , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The present project aims to study the briquetting and burning process of the leather industrial waste aiming at the application as biomass to obtain a source of renewable thermal energy. This work will study the process of burning and degradation of waste from the leather industry, aiming at the possibility of obtaining an alternative source of renewable energy, that is, a possibility of biomass. Initially, the residues will be submitted to the micronization process. After this process, their moisture content, volatiles, ash and fixed carbon will be determined by Immediate Analysis. Afterwards, the thermal properties, thermal degradation and decomposition temperature will be obtained by the thermogravimetric technique (TGA / DTG). From the thermogravimetric results will be determined by means of the intersection method and deviation method the ignition and Burnout temperatures of the leather residue. The micronized residue will then be treated in an oven until it reaches among 10-12% moisture and, subsequently, 15 briquettes will be produced with unheated hydraulic press and without addition of binder. The dimensional stability of the briquettes will be monitored during the first 168 hours. After six days of compaction, the briquettes will be submitted to the mechanical strength tests by means of the traction by diametral compression test and the results will be used to calculate the stacking height, the value of which will be relevant to logistically measure the potential of briquetting process. It is intended to perform the DSC and coupled TGA-FTIR thermal analysis at the University of Newcastle in England, through a research internship (BEPE) in the "Process Intensification Group". The supervisor/Advisor will be Dr Anh Phan, engineering professor at the university and member of the research group.