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Impact of waste biomass binders on the pelletizing, combustion, and engineering feasibility of sludge–coal slime co-pelletized fuel.

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Title: Impact of waste biomass binders on the pelletizing, combustion, and engineering feasibility of sludge–coal slime co-pelletized fuel.
Authors: Chen, Hao-Ran1,2 (AUTHOR), Yuan, Yi-Wen1,2 (AUTHOR), Liu, Zhi-Hao1,2 (AUTHOR), Huang, Chang-Ji1,2 (AUTHOR), Ren, Shi-YuS1,2 (AUTHOR), Wang, Hou-Feng1,2 (AUTHOR) wanghf@mail.ustc.edu.cn, Zeng, Raymond Jianxiong1,2 (AUTHOR)
Source: Environmental Research. Sep2026:Part 2, Vol. 305, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Subjects: Pelletizing, Combustion, Stability (Mechanics), Cost analysis, Feasibility studies
Abstract: Co-pelletization of municipal sewage sludge (SS) and coal slime (CS) offers a promising route for waste to fuel conversion, but its practical application is often limited by insufficient pellet cohesion and poor mechanical stability. In this study, three bio-derived solid waste binders, namely waste paper (WP), rice straw (RS), and lignin (CL), were incorporated at 10-20 wt% into a 1:1 SS/CS blend to evaluate their effects on pellet quality, combustion behavior, and formulation suitability. The results showed that all three binders improved pellet performance, although through different pathways. CL provided the strongest mechanical reinforcement, and the 20% addition achieved the highest densification and Meyer hardness (approximately 5.9-6.0 MPa), whereas WP showed the greatest improvement in combustion performance. At a 20% addition level, the comprehensive combustion index (S) reached 3.49 × 10−7·%2 min−2 °C−3, which was about 2.99 times that of the control. Kinetic reconstruction based on thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the apparent activation energy varied only slightly among formulations, suggesting that the combustion differences were governed mainly by structural evolution and the associated heat/mass transfer conditions rather than by fundamental changes in reaction barrier. To avoid selecting formulations solely on the basis of combustion metrics, techno-economic assessment (TEA) and ash fusion temperature (AFT) were further incorporated into the screening framework. Although 20% WP showed the highest combustion reactivity, 15% WP provided the best overall balance, with the maximum net profit and low slagging risk, as indicated by softening temperatures above 1330 °C. These results demonstrate that the optimal SS-CS pellet formulation is determined by the combined balance among mechanical stability, combustion reactivity, economic return, and ash-related risk. [Display omitted] • Biomass binders enhance mechanical and combustion properties of SS-CS pellets. • Binder addition improves pellet abrasion resistance and handling stability. • Waste paper maximizes combustion reactivity, increasing the S index by 2.99 times. • Integrated TEA and AFT reveal 15% WP balances net profit and low slagging risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:Co-pelletization of municipal sewage sludge (SS) and coal slime (CS) offers a promising route for waste to fuel conversion, but its practical application is often limited by insufficient pellet cohesion and poor mechanical stability. In this study, three bio-derived solid waste binders, namely waste paper (WP), rice straw (RS), and lignin (CL), were incorporated at 10-20 wt% into a 1:1 SS/CS blend to evaluate their effects on pellet quality, combustion behavior, and formulation suitability. The results showed that all three binders improved pellet performance, although through different pathways. CL provided the strongest mechanical reinforcement, and the 20% addition achieved the highest densification and Meyer hardness (approximately 5.9-6.0 MPa), whereas WP showed the greatest improvement in combustion performance. At a 20% addition level, the comprehensive combustion index (S) reached 3.49 × 10−7·%2 min−2 °C−3, which was about 2.99 times that of the control. Kinetic reconstruction based on thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the apparent activation energy varied only slightly among formulations, suggesting that the combustion differences were governed mainly by structural evolution and the associated heat/mass transfer conditions rather than by fundamental changes in reaction barrier. To avoid selecting formulations solely on the basis of combustion metrics, techno-economic assessment (TEA) and ash fusion temperature (AFT) were further incorporated into the screening framework. Although 20% WP showed the highest combustion reactivity, 15% WP provided the best overall balance, with the maximum net profit and low slagging risk, as indicated by softening temperatures above 1330 °C. These results demonstrate that the optimal SS-CS pellet formulation is determined by the combined balance among mechanical stability, combustion reactivity, economic return, and ash-related risk. [Display omitted] • Biomass binders enhance mechanical and combustion properties of SS-CS pellets. • Binder addition improves pellet abrasion resistance and handling stability. • Waste paper maximizes combustion reactivity, increasing the S index by 2.99 times. • Integrated TEA and AFT reveal 15% WP balances net profit and low slagging risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00139351
DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2026.125070