Technological Advancement in the Production of Peat Pellets by Extrusion

The effect of extrusion conditions on the properties of peat briquettes was experimentally studied with the use of an industrial crank press with an open matrix. Regression equations were obtained for determining the density, mechanical strength in axial compression, hardness, and water absorption of fuel peat as functions of compacting pressure and feed moisture content. The dependences of the density, mechanical compression strength, and hardness of briquettes on the compacting pressure have a threshold behavior, which is responsible for their maximally accessible values at a specified level of humidity. Conditions for the production of fuel were optimized to be consistent with the most effective regimes of extrusion from an energy point of view.