Development of a Newly Designed HydraulicType Briquetting Machine Used in Briquettingof Apricot (<i>Prunus armeniaca</i> L.) Plant Residuesat Different Compaction Pressures

In this study, briquettes were obtained with a redesigned hydraulic press machine using the pruning residues released after the apricot harvesting and the possibilities of obtaining solid biofuel were investigated.In the experiments solid briquettes were obtained with a moisture content of approximately 8-10%, particle size of 2-5 mm and five different compression pressures (80, 100, 120, 140 and 160 MPa).The physical properties of the briquettes, the capacity of the machine and the specific energy consumption were determined for the durability of the briquettes.The densities of the briquettes varied between 975.55-1286.78kg.m -3 on the wet basis.The obtained data results were subjected to statistical analysis results (PCA,ANOVA) and tried to be evaluated.It has been observed that different compression pressures are important on the volume weights of the briquettes (p<0.01).The average highest briquette firmness (12525.36N), tumbler test (97.55%) and shatter test (98.45%),briquette density (1269.85kg.m -3 ) values were obtained at 160 MPa compaction pressure.The average highest capacity (5.75 kg.h -1 ) values were obtained at 80 MPa compaction pressure and the average highest specific energy consumption (0.20 kWh.kg -1 ) values were obtained at 160 MPa compaction pressure.It has been determined that different compression pressures have an effect on the solid biofuel properties of the briquettes obtained from apricots, and it has been observed that these effects are very important at high compaction pressures (160 MPa).While calorific value of the of wood dust briquettes were obtained 4522 kcal.kg - , apricot briquettes is 4605 kcal.kg - , average percentage ash content wood dust 3.87% apricot briquettes calculated as 0.77%.Also, it was observed that the flue gas emission values of the apricot briquettes as a result of burning were within acceptable limits.These results indicate that the briquettes made from apricot residues have high heating values enough for domestic use and small-scale industrial cottage applications.